Cuba: No Negotiations with America Despite Ongoing Communication

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Cuba's chief diplomat in Washington revealed that Havana and the United States maintain "channels of communication" between them, but they are not conducting any official negotiations, at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump's administration continues its pressure campaign on the communist-ruled island.

Lianis Torres Rivera, the charge d'affaires at the Havana embassy in Washington, said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that Cuba remains open to a "respectful" dialogue, but is "not naive" regarding Trump's threats, and has intensified its preparations to defend itself against any U.S. military action.

She added that the latest diplomatic communications between the U.S. and Cuba included meetings, phone calls, and messages via WhatsApp, but the two sides have not made any progress towards establishing a negotiating agenda or resuming official talks.

She stated, "What we have with the United States are channels of communication," refusing to provide details regarding the timing, topics, and participants.

While the description of these communications does not seem to have reached the level of what Trump confirmed at the United Nations last month, that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was "in the midst of negotiations" with Havana. The American president also described Cuba as a "failed state" and predicted the fall of its government. Meanwhile, the Cuban delegation walked out of the hall in protest against this.

Trump explicitly stated that his goal is to bring about a radical change in the Cuban government. The United States imposed an oil embargo on Cuba, putting the country under severe pressure amid suffering from fuel shortages and power outages, which have been exacerbated by the crumbling infrastructure.

For his part, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez mentioned at the end of June that the talks that began earlier this year with the United States had stopped. He also confirmed in early September that there are no ongoing or planned talks.

In response to questions from Reuters, a U.S. official who requested anonymity said, "The United States is ready to open a new chapter in the relationship... and the only thing standing in the way of a better future is those who control Cuba for their own gain at the expense of the Cuban people," but he did not provide any clarification regarding diplomatic communications.

Additionally, Torres Rivera emphasized that Cuba's "red line" remains that Havana is not willing to negotiate any changes to its political system, as it sees Trump's demands for the removal of the Cuban leadership as a violation of sovereignty.

The diplomacy rejected the Trump administration's accusations that Cuba poses a threat to U.S. national security or interferes in the internal affairs of the United States, stating that Washington uses these accusations as a pretext to continue economic pressure on the island in what it described as "collective punishment."

Meanwhile, the U.S. official reiterated Trump's statements, saying: "We will not allow a refuge for foreign enemies threatening America on our doorstep."

The Trump administration tightened the embargo imposed on Cuba last week, further restricting American travel there and limiting the access of the Cuban private sector to U.S. banking services.

While Torres Rivera considered these measures to be inconsistent with the United States' insistence on its desire for Cuba to expand the scope of private projects.

In the face of U.S. pressures, Cuba revealed in June reforms moving towards a free market, which, if fully implemented, would represent the largest change in the island's socialist economy since former leader Fidel Castro came to power in 1959.

However, Washington says that the reforms do not go far enough, and has called for "free and fair" elections.

Despite these gaps, Trump predicted late last month that the United States and Cuba "will reach an agreement," adding: "I don't think we will need the military."

However, the Cuban government remains cautious. Torres Rivera said: "Cuba has always been preparing for aggression from the United States. We are strengthening our capabilities now more than ever... to defend ourselves."