Cuban president confirms talks with Trump officials amid US blockade

Cuban officials have held talks with the US government to seek solutions to the blockade, Miguel Díaz‑Canel said in a video broadcast on national television. “These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations,” he said, in a clip aired shortly before a rare address amid a severe economic crisis and rising pressure from Donald Trump.

Díaz‑Canel added that negotiators took part “on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states, and for the sovereignty and self-determination” of the Cuban government, and said no petroleum shipments have arrived in the past three months, which he blamed on a US energy blockade.

Cuba’s western region suffered a massive blackout last week that left millions without power; the president said the island, which produces 40% of its petroleum, has been generating its own power but it has not met demand.

Cuba, western region

cuba, cuban president, miguel díaz-canel, us government, donald trump, us blockade, energy blockade, petroleum shipments, power blackout, economic crisis