After weeks of rumors, Cuba has finally admitted it’s talking to the Trump administration.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday that his government is negotiating with U.S. officials to address “bilateral differences” and explore possible cooperation.
The talks are being led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom President Trump has tapped to press Havana for major changes — or potentially oversee what Trump has described as a “friendly” takeover of the island’s communist government.
Pressure on Cuba has ramped up dramatically this year.
In January, the United States effectively cut off fuel shipments to the island after a surprise U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro from power and brought him to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges.
With Venezuelan oil gone, Cuba has been hit by rolling blackouts and a worsening economic crisis.
Díaz-Canel acknowledged the negotiations in carefully worded remarks, saying “international factors” helped facilitate the discussions.
He framed the talks as an effort to identify disputes between the two countries and determine whether cooperation is possible.
But the stakes are much larger.
The Trump administration has openly predicted the collapse of Cuba’s 67-year-old communist system under mounting economic pressure. Trump himself has said the United States could ultimately take over the island — “friendly” or otherwise.
Behind the scenes, officials are reportedly exploring a broad deal: sanctions relief in exchange for economic openings and possible cooperation on ports, tourism and energy.
Another potential sweetener: allowing more Americans to travel to Havana, though that would likely require congressional approval.
One especially striking detail reportedly under discussion — an off-ramp that would allow Díaz-Canel and members of the Castro family to remain in Cuba even if political changes reshape the government.
For now, Díaz-Canel is calling the negotiations “a very sensitive process.”
