Cuba has confirmed it is in contact with the United States (US) and is open to dialogue, but insists that core issues such as its constitution and socialist system of government are not negotiable, according to a senior Cuban diplomat.
Read More: Trump signals potential deal as cuba faces worsening crisis
Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, told Reuters on Monday that Havana was ready for “a serious, meaningful and responsible dialogue” with Washington, though he stressed that exchanges had not yet reached the level of formal negotiations. “We have had exchanges of messages, we have embassies, we have had communications, but we cannot say we have had a table of dialogue,” he said.
Cuba and the United States are in communication, a Cuban diplomat told Reuters, although he said the exchanges have not yet evolved into a formal ‘dialogue’ https://t.co/SFFKtaqajH pic.twitter.com/knUxJuQr8j
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 3, 2026
In a separate interview with The Associated Press, de Cossio added that dialogue could eventually lead to negotiations, while making clear that Cuba would not discuss changes to its political system, constitution or socialist governance.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump’s renewed pressure campaign against Havana. On Sunday, Trump said the United States had begun talks with “the highest people in Cuba” and expressed optimism about reaching a deal. However, days earlier, he described Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security in an executive order.
Trump has also threatened tariffs against countries supplying oil to Cuba and claimed on Monday that Mexico would stop sending fuel to the island, a statement Mexico has not confirmed. Mexico is currently Cuba’s largest oil supplier and has previously said it would continue shipments for humanitarian reasons.
The United States has intensified efforts to block oil supplies to Cuba, including shipments from ally Venezuela, worsening fuel shortages, food prices and widespread power outages across the island.
Read More: Cuba defiant after Trump says no more Venezuelan oil or money
De Cossio warned that Washington’s strategy would ultimately backfire, questioning whether the US could sustain efforts to isolate Cuba’s energy supplies globally.
Cuba has endured decades of US sanctions, but a severe economic crisis and stepped-up pressure from the Trump administration have pushed relations to a critical point.