>>178088

[excerpt]
[translation]

Cuba Admits Negotiations with Trump to Find Solutions to the Island's Economic Crisis
Carla Gloria Colomé, Iker Seisdedos

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday morning that officials from his government have just begun talks with representatives of the Trump administration, amid the economic collapse gripping the island. He insisted that it has been the practice of the Cuban Revolution not to "respond to speculative campaigns on this type of issue," following several leaks suggesting that the dialogue had actually begun weeks ago. Despite Trump himself indicating on several occasions that they were in talks with Havana, the Cuban side remained silent, and at times even denied that any negotiations were taking place.

Fifteen minutes before the broadcast, which had been announced for 7:30 a.m. (Havana and Washington time, two hours earlier in Mexico and five hours later in mainland Spain), the state-run press reported that Díaz-Canel, speaking from the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, in a meeting with members of the Political Bureau, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers, said that “these talks have been aimed at finding solutions, through dialogue, to the bilateral differences” that exist “between the two nations.” “There are international factors that have facilitated these exchanges,” he maintained.

“In the exchanges that have taken place, the Cuban side has expressed its willingness to carry out this process on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states, sovereignty, and the self-determination of our governments,” said the Cuban president.

Trump, for his part, reacted to the announcement around 10:00 a.m. He did so on Truth, his social media account. This time it wasn't one of his hyperbolic messages, but rather he simply retweeted an article from USA Today, whose headline reads: “Cuba confirms talks with U.S. officials, raising hopes for deal.” That same newspaper published a report last Sunday that spoke of the imminence of an economic pact, although it didn't provide further details about its content. However, it hinted that the White House's plan was to remove Díaz-Canel from power, but keep the heirs of the Castro name on the island.

A White House spokesperson confirmed on Friday that talks with Cuba are underway, adding that its “leaders should reach an agreement.” “It is a failed nation whose rulers have suffered a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela and the cessation of oil shipments from Mexico,” the spokesperson told The Washington Post.