Miguel Díaz-Canel says the goal is to “identify areas of cooperation” and “concretize actions for the benefit of the people of both countries.”
14ymedio, Madrid, 13 March 2026 — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed on Friday conversations with the US government to “identify areas of cooperation” and “define actions to benefit the people of both countries, to confront threats and guarantee peace and security in both nations and also in the region.”
The leader made these remarks in a room where Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Raúl Castro’s grandson and presumed mediator of the talks, was present, according to leaks from the US press in recent days. Also present was another family member, Oscar Pérez-Oliva, great-nephew of Raúl and Fidel Castro and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment. Also seen in the room were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, Interior Minister Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, and Army Corps General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, among other high-ranking officials.
Díaz-Canel emphasized that the talks began inspired by the spirit of the Revolution and led by Raúl Castro. “And by me,” he stressed, in a context where there has been speculation that the president is being sidelined not only by the Trump Administration, but also by the regime itself.
“These conversations have been oriented toward finding solutions, through dialogue, to the bilateral differences we have between our two nations. There are international factors that have facilitated these exchanges,” the president said.
“These conversations have been oriented toward finding solutions, through dialogue, to the bilateral differences we have between our two nations.
For weeks, the contacts—which US President Donald Trump began mentioning in early January—have been denied by members of the regime, who limited the dialogue to the usual exchanges on security and immigration. Díaz-Canel alluded to this, saying that “it has not been, nor is it now, the practice of the leadership of the Cuban Revolution to respond to speculative campaigns on this type of issue.”
According to his version, the issue is very sensitive and is being handled with “seriousness and responsibility, because it affects the bilateral ties between the two nations and demands enormous and arduous efforts to find a solution and create spaces for understanding, which will allow us to move forward and move away from confrontation.”
Díaz-Canel insisted that “in the exchanges that have taken place, the Cuban side has expressed the willingness to carry out this process, on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both States, for sovereignty, and for the self-determination of our governments,” taking into account “reciprocity” and “adherence to International Law.”
In a press conference following his initial remarks, during which not a single question was posed regarding the dialogue with the United States, Díaz-Canel addressed the severity of the energy situation. The president stated that no crude oil tankers have entered Cuba in the last three months—despite reports indicating that the Ocean Mariner entered Cuban waters on January 9—and that the situation has worsened, particularly in March. Until then, Cuba had been operating with rationed crude oil, which was injected into the engines at the Moa and Mariel refineries, but that supply is exhausted. Aside from this, the only sources are thermoelectric plants—fueled by domestic oil—Energás, and solar power. He said that solar power sometimes provides up to 53% of the energy, but not all of it can be utilized, partly due to the necessary adjustments to balance the system. “There are 1,400 megawatts [of fuel] that cannot be used,” he lamented.
The president praised the workers of the Cuban Electric Union for their continuous efforts, as well as the population, whose daily services such as water, communications, and healthcare are affected. He also criticized those who “criticize” the situation. “The magnitude of the problem is so great that it cannot be seen,” he said, before listing the countless stopgap measures that have been implemented to alleviate the situation, from coal to solar panels in numerous locations. He also announced future photovoltaic parks, the progress of the supertanker construction in Matanzas, the increase in domestic crude oil production, and the commissioning of thermoelectric units by the end of the month.
Díaz-Canel also addressed the situation at universities this week, which has seen protests by several students demanding reforms. The president only made reference to the controversial hybrid learning model and, after acknowledging that the academic year could struggle to progress under these circumstances, rejected the idea of ending classes altogether. “What are we going to do, throw in the towel?”
The decisions will be announced on Monday in an appearance by Pérez-Oliva on a television program, which he said, though not entirely certain, could be the Mesa Redonda (Round Table) program.
When asked about Cuban-Americans who reportedly want to invest in the country, Díaz-Canel stated that a series of measures have been taken to ease current bureaucratic barriers and facilitate these practices. The decisions will be announced on Monday during an appearance by Pérez-Oliva on a television program, which, he said without complete certainty, could be the Mesa Redonda (Round Table) program.
At the press conference, there was also talk about donations from third countries and the interception of the Villa Clara boat: “In the investigation, everyone has admitted that they fired on our border guard service and have provided very important details that will be given below about who recruited them, who trained them… And they have given the names,” he said.
Only at that point did Díaz-Canel refer to Washington again, announcing that an FBI delegation would soon arrive on the island to investigate the case. “Yes, there is cooperation,” he affirmed.
Before concluding his remarks, in order to depart for “defense activities,” Díaz-Canel addressed the announced release of 51 prisoners, a process the Vatican confirmed its participation in on Friday. The president, aware that this would be interpreted as a concession to the United States, emphasized that the decision was made independently. “Now, prepare for the intoxication,” he added.
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