Cuban diplomats say Havana is open to dialogue with Washington, but some things are off the table, including the constitution and the socialist government.
Published on February 3, 2026
Cuba and the United States are in dialogue, but the exchange has not yet developed into a formal “dialogue,” a Cuban diplomat said, prompting US President Donald Trump to step in. Pressure on Havana.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cosio told Reuters news agency on Monday that the US government was aware that Cuba was “ready for a serious, meaningful and responsible dialogue”.
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De Cosio’s statement represents the first indication from Havana that it is in contact with Washington, albeit on a limited basis, as tensions have risen in recent weeks against Trump’s Cuban government following the kidnapping of US troops. Venezuelan leader Nicolas MaduroA longtime friend of Cuba.
“We have an exchange of messages, we have embassies, we have communications, but we cannot say that we have a dialogue table,” Di Cosio said.
In a separate interview with the Associated Press news agency, Di Cosio said, “If we can communicate, maybe that will lead to negotiations.”
The deputy minister also emphasized that some issues are far from being settled for Cuba, including the country’s constitution, economy and its socialist system of government.
On Sunday, Trump indicated that the US had started talks with “the top people in Cuba”.
“I think we’re going to make a deal with Cuba,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
A few days ago, Trump in an executive order referred to Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and Other countries warned If they supply oil to Cuba, he will impose higher tariffs on them.
On Monday, Trump turned to threatening Havana, announcing at the White House that Mexico is “going to stop” sending oil to Cuba, which could meet the country’s energy needs.
Mexico, which has yet to comment on Trump’s latest statement, is Largest supplier of oil to Cuba
Mexico has repeatedly said it will not stop sending oil to Cuba on humanitarian grounds, but also fears retaliation from Trump over its policy.
In recent weeks, the US has blocked all oil from reaching Cuba, along with Cuba’s ally Venezuela, raising food and transportation prices and prompting severe fuel shortages and hours-long blackouts even in the capital, Havana.
Responding to Trump’s threat over oil supplies, Cuba’s de Cosio said the move would ultimately backfire.
“The US… is trying to force every country in the world not to give fuel to Cuba. Can that last long?” Di Cosio told Reuters.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Cuba for decades, but the conflict has recently escalated due to a crippling economic crisis on the island and mounting pressure from the Trump administration.
