Cuba: No Negotiations with Washington Despite Open Communication Channels
Amman4 min read
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The senior Cuban diplomat in Washington revealed that Havana and the United States maintain "communication channels" between them, but they are not conducting any formal negotiations, as the administration of US President Donald Trump continues its pressure campaign on the communist-ruled island.
Lianes Torres Rivera, acting head of the Havana embassy in Washington, said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that Cuba remains open to a "respectful" dialogue, but it is "not naive" regarding Trump's threats, and has intensified its preparations to defend itself against any US military action.
Meetings, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages
She added that the latest diplomatic contacts between America and Cuba included meetings, phone calls, and messages via the WhatsApp application, but the two sides have made no progress towards setting a negotiating agenda or resuming formal talks.
She said, "What we have with the United States is communication channels," refusing to provide details about the timing, topics, and participants.
Her description of these contacts apparently did not reach 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 US president also described Cuba as a "failed state" and predicted the fall of its government, while the Cuban delegation walked out in protest.
Radical change
Trump has explicitly stated that his goal is to bring about a radical change in the Cuban government. The United States has imposed an oil embargo on Cuba, putting the country under severe pressure as it suffers from fuel shortages and power outages, exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez mentioned at the end of June that talks that began earlier this year with the United States had stopped. He also confirmed in early September that there were no ongoing or planned talks.
In response to questions from Reuters, an anonymous US official said, "The United States is ready to open a new chapter in the relationship... 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 did not provide any clarification on diplomatic contacts.
Cuba's "red line"
Torres Rivera emphasized that Cuba's "red line" remains that Havana is not willing to negotiate any changes to its political system, considering Trump's demands for the removal of the Cuban leadership as a violation of sovereignty.
The diplomat rejected the Trump administration's accusations that Cuba poses a threat to US national security or interferes in the internal affairs of the United States, saying that Washington uses these accusations as a pretext to continue economic pressure on the island in what it described as "collective punishment."
The US official reiterated Trump's statements, saying, "We will not allow a haven for foreign enemies threatening America on our doorstep."
Tightening the embargo
The Trump administration tightened the embargo on Cuba last week, further restricting US travel to the island and Cuban private sector access to US banking services.
Torres Rivera considered these measures to be contrary to the United States' insistence on wanting Cuba to expand the scope of private enterprises.
In the face of US pressure, Cuba revealed in June market-oriented reforms, which, if fully implemented, would represent the most significant change in the island's socialist economy since former leader Fidel Castro took power in 1959.
However, Washington says the reforms do not go far enough and has called for "free and fair" elections.
Despite these gaps, Trump predicted last month that the United States and Cuba would "reach an agreement," adding, "I don't think we'll 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."
