Fernández de Cossío: Havana is open to dialogue with the US, but “the Constitution, the economy, and the country’s socialist system of government are off the table.”
14ymedio, Madrid, February 3, 2026 – Vice Chancellor Carlos Fernández de Cossío positioned himself strategically in front of the photographs of Raúl Castro, Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara to launch a message to the U.S. during an interview given this Monday to the Associated Press (AP). The idea was simple: to convince people that dialogue is possible, provided it does not mean giving up the basics.
“If you ask me if we have a dialogue table today, we don’t have one,” the diplomat told AP. However, he said that there is a willingness “to maintain this informal dialogue with the U.S.” to discuss “differences.” He pointed out that “certain things are off the table for Cuba, including the constitution, economy and system of government of the country, which is socialist.”
The Vice-Chancellor stressed once again that contacts have been maintained over the years to address border issues, both with regard to emigration and drug trafficking. However, he contradicted the U.S. president, who in the last two days has insisted that talks are already underway with members of the Cuban government.
“Cuba is a peaceful country,” said Fernández de Cossío. “We only want to relate to the United States as we relate to the rest of the world. The U.S. is the exception today,” he reproached.
“We only wish to relate to America as we relate to the rest of the world. America is the exception today”
The agency specifically asked the diplomat how long the authorities estimate that Cuba could “endure the current conditions,” but Fernández de Cossío avoided answering and opened the door to speculation by saying he could not reveal “any way” to ensure the supply of oil.
“Cuba, of course, is preparing with creativity, stoicism and austerity,” he said. He then left an enigmatic phrase that can
also be interpreted as a bluff: “What can Cuba do? Watch us.”
Fernández de Cossío’s statements came on Monday, just one day after Trump said his pressure will force Cuba to negotiate. “I think they’ll probably come to us and want to make a deal. So Cuba will be free again,” said the president, who rejects the idea of a humanitarian crisis and is convinced that there will be an agreement.
Trump had already stated on two occasions in January that he was in talks with the Cuban regime, something that was denied by the authorities of the Island. Whether true or not, last Thursday he signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba.
Among them is Mexico, whose president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has stated that the delivery of crude to Cuba is an issue she has never discussed with the United States. “We never talked to President Trump about the issue of oil with Cuba,” she said, although she did admit that her chancellor, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, discussed it with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The president announced on Sunday the imminent delivery of humanitarian aid, consisting of food and other basic commodities, to Cuba, while she is evaluating how to resume fuel deliveries. “The Secretary of Navy will deliver food and other products, in which we resolve diplomatically everything that has to do with the shipment of oil for humanitarian reasons,” she revealed.
Sheinbaum added on Monday that she is coordinating with the Cuban Embassy to define what is most needed. “We will report in full detail in due course,” she added.
Sheinbaum added on Monday that she is coordinating with the Cuban Embassy to define what is most needed. “We will report in full detail in due course,” she added
Trump closed that door, at least temporarily, on Monday. Although he did not refer to the statements of Fernández de Cossío to AP nor to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which Cuba reaffirmed “its commitment to cooperate with the U.S. and other nations to strengthen regional and international security.” he insisted on Monday that talks are already underway.
“Many (Cubans) would at least like to visit their relatives, and I think we are close to achieving it. The fact is that we are negotiating with the Cuban leaders right now,” he told the media in the Oval Office.
The president stressed that Cuba is “a failed nation, they do not receive money from Venezuela or anywhere else. It is a bankrupt nation.” He added that “Mexico will stop sending them oil.”
In addition, he made statements that have put some migrants waiting for their regularization on the spot and who fear that a possible dialogue with Havana will lead to their expulsion. “I would like to help the Cubans here. As you know, we have many people who came from Cuba, who were expelled from Cuba, who fled Cuba. They arrived on rafts. They crossed shark-infested waters. I don’t know how they did it. And that was many years ago. Many would want to return,” he said.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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