Díaz-Canel Admits US Talks After Fuel Shipments Halt for 3 Months
Cuba has confirmed something it had previously denied — recent talks with the United States.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Friday that Cuban officials held discussions with Washington aimed at resolving long-standing differences between the two countries, marking the first time Havana has publicly acknowledged the contacts. According to the Associated Press and ABC News reporting, the talks are described as an attempt to address bilateral problems through dialogue.
The announcement comes as Cuba faces one of its worst economic and energy crises in years. Díaz-Canel said no petroleum shipments have reached the island in three months, which he blamed on a U.S. “energy blockade.”
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Fuel shortages have triggered widespread blackouts and disruptions to communications, transportation, and medical services across parts of the country. Millions of residents were recently left without electricity in western Cuba.
Details of the negotiations remain unclear. Reuters reported that the talks appear to be in early stages and it is not publicly known which U.S. officials participated.
Cuba also announced the release of 51 prisoners in what officials described as a goodwill gesture as diplomatic signals between the two countries begin to shift.
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