The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC, the only legal party in the country) announced this Friday (13) that representatives of the regime had held recent conversations with the US government. The information comes one day after the release of 51 prisoners amid negotiations with the Vatican.
“Led by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, as leader of the Revolution, and by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez – and together with the highest structures of the Party, State and Government – Cuban authorities recently held conversations with representatives of the US government”, says the statement, published on social media.
In a recorded message, Díaz-Canel explained that Havana held talks with Washington with the aim of finding solutions, through dialogue, for the “differences” between the two administrations.
The objective was, “in the first instance, to identify the problems that need to be addressed and possible solutions”, added the Cuban dictator, who clarified that agreements are still “far from being reached”.
The regime also highlighted that the talks deal with “a very sensitive process” and, among the main focuses of the negotiations is to move the countries away from direct confrontation.
In recent months, Washington has increased pressure on Cuba, blocking oil imports to the island, which produces only a third of the crude oil needed to meet its energy needs.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated in recent weeks that representatives of his administration were in contact with Cuban authorities. Havana had denied these negotiations on several occasions, but stopped doing so in recent weeks.
In January, American sources told the The Wall Street Journal that the US government would be looking for people linked to the Cuban dictatorship who could help close a deal for the departure of dictator Miguel Diáz-Canel and his supporters by the end of the year.
This Thursday, the Cuban regime announced the release of the prisoners, without mentioning the pressure exerted by the USA.
