Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Cuba, US Maintain Contact But No Formal Negotiations
A Cuban diplomat says Cuba and the United States are still communicating.
They have used meetings, phone calls and messages, but she says they are not having formal negotiations.
US President Donald Trump has described the situation differently, saying talks were well under way.
Cuba says it is willing to have respectful conversations, but it will not bargain over changing its political system.
The United States has increased pressure on Cuba with restrictions and an oil blockade.
These measures are contributing to fuel shortages and power outages in Cuba.
The Cuban diplomat says her country is preparing to defend itself if there is a US military attack.
Cuban diplomat Lianys Torres Rivera said Cuba and the United States maintain communication channels but are not in formal negotiations.
Contacts have included meetings, phone calls and WhatsApp messages, but she gave no details about their timing, topics or participants.
Her account differs from Donald Trump's recent claim that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was deep into negotiations with Havana.
Torres Rivera said Cuba would consider respectful dialogue but would not negotiate changes to its political system.
She said Cuba is increasing its preparations to defend itself, while the US pressure campaign includes tighter restrictions and an oil blockade.
- Who
- Cuban diplomat Lianys Torres Rivera described communication between Cuba and the United States.
- What
- The countries maintain communication channels, but Torres Rivera said they are not engaged in formal negotiations.
- When
- Torres Rivera gave the account in an interview on Monday; the report was dated October 5.
- Where
- The interview took place in Washington; the communications are between Cuba and the United States.
- Why
- Cuba says it is open to respectful dialogue but will not negotiate changes to its political system, which it views as a matter of sovereignty.
Cuban government's position
US administration's position
Whether negotiations are underway
Cuban government's position
Torres Rivera said the countries have communication channels but no formal negotiations; Cuba's foreign minister had also said talks had stalled and later that none were underway or planned.
US administration's position
Trump said Marco Rubio was deep into negotiations with Havana and predicted the countries would make a deal.
Cuba's political system
Cuban government's position
Torres Rivera said Cuba will not negotiate changes to its political system and described demands to remove its leadership as a violation of sovereignty.
US administration's position
The Trump administration seeks fundamental change to Cuba's government and has called for free and fair elections.
US pressure and its justification
Cuban government's position
Torres Rivera rejected claims that Cuba threatens US national security or interferes in US affairs, and said the accusations are used to justify economic pressure and collective punishment.
US administration's position
The US administration has maintained and tightened restrictions on Cuba; the article reports that it says Cuba's economic reforms do not go far enough.
- Cuban diplomat
- Lianys Torres Rivera, chargé d’affaires at Cuba’s embassy in Washington
- Reported contact methods
- Meetings, phone calls and WhatsApp messages
- Cuba’s stated position
- Open to respectful dialogue, but unwilling to negotiate changes to its political system
- US policy context
- The Trump administration has pursued a pressure campaign and tightened restrictions on travel to Cuba and US banking access for Cuba’s private sector.
- Oil blockade
- The report says it has put Cuba under severe strain amid fuel shortages and blackouts.
- Cuban preparations
- Torres Rivera said Cuba is increasing its capabilities to defend itself.
- Contrasting public claims
- Trump said Marco Rubio was deep into negotiations; Torres Rivera said there are no formal negotiations.