Cuban President Diaz-Canel says talks held with US amid Trump threats | Miguel Diaz-Canel News
Cuban Officials Seek Dialogue with U.S. Amid Tightening Oil Blockade
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced on Friday that officials have engaged in discussions with the United States government in an effort to address the impacts of the ongoing oil blockade. The talks come as U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed threats regarding potential action against the Caribbean nation.
“These discussions aim to find solutions through dialogue concerning our bilateral differences,” Diaz-Canel stated in a televised address. He emphasized that “international factors have facilitated these exchanges.”
The president reported that no oil shipments have arrived in Cuba for the past three months, attributing the situation to the U.S. blockade. Critical supply chains have been disrupted after the Trump administration targeted Venezuelan oil exports, which have historically supported Cuba.
Last week, Cuba’s western region experienced a significant blackout, affecting millions and disrupting essential services. Diaz-Canel noted that the island produces only 40 percent of its petroleum needs and has been generating power independently, but this has not been sufficient to meet demand. Consequently, the power shortages have also delayed surgeries for tens of thousands of patients, leading him to describe the impact as “tremendous.”
Diaz-Canel underscored the importance of the discussions, stating that they endeavor to assess the willingness of both nations to take constructive action for their populations’ benefit. He also mentioned the need to identify cooperative areas to enhance security and peace in the region.
For many years, U.S. economic sanctions have severely hindered Cuba’s economy, limiting its ability to engage in global trade. The country has increasingly relied on oil supplies from allies such as Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia to sustain its energy needs.
