The Cuban state television aired a commentary this Tuesday reaffirming President Miguel Díaz-Canel's position of being willing to engage in dialogue with Washington "on all topics, no matter how contentious they may be", but conditioning any negotiations on respect for sovereignty, self-determination, and international law. The official media thus reports on the willingness to engage in dialogue declared by Díaz-Canel during his televised appearance in February 2026.
The message arrives at a time of heightened bilateral tension. On January 29, Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency due to the "unusual and extraordinary threat" posed by Cuba and authorizing tariffs on countries that sell oil to the island, marking the most aggressive energy pressure measure in decades. Additionally, the decline in Venezuelan supply following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January further exacerbated the Cuban energy crisis.
Jorge Legañoa, an official television commentator, lists seven characteristics that, according to Havana, define the current state of bilateral relations: intensification of the energy embargo, pressures against medical collaboration, attacks on the tourism industry, suspension of remittances, tolerance of armed groups, a media campaign, and a narrative of confusion and demobilization.
In this last point, the regime is directly targeting the revelations about secret contacts between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo" and the grandson of Raúl Castro, during a meeting in Saint Kitts on the sidelines of the CARICOM summit. According to CiberCuba, Rubio negotiated the Cuban transition with El Cangrejo, ignoring Díaz-Canel and demanding concrete political reforms.
Last Sunday, secret negotiations for an economic agreement with Cuba were also revealed, which would include a negotiated exit for Díaz-Canel, the continuation of the Castro family, tourism openings, and relief from sanctions on ports and energy. Vice Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío confirmed high-level exchanges but ruled out discussing constitutional reforms, changes to the socialist system, or the release of political prisoners.
The incident involving the Florida-registered boat intercepted on February 25 near Villa Clara —which was carrying 14 assault rifles, 11 pistols, over 12,800 rounds of ammunition, explosives, drones, and military uniforms— is presented by the regime as evidence of the “tolerance for terrorism” by the United States. According to CiberCuba, the confrontation left four dead and 21 bullet impacts among the ten occupants, all Cubans residing in the U.S., and a wounded Cuban border guard. On March 4, the Prosecutor's Office filed terrorism charges against six suspects, with possible sentences of up to 30 years or death.
The spokesperson for the White House, Karoline Leavitt, responded to Díaz-Canel's statements with a direct message: "The Cuban government is on its last legs and about to fall," and warned that they should "be careful with comments directed at the President of the United States." Trump, for his part, publicly stated that he is "talking to people at the highest levels in Cuba" and that the island "should make a deal," describing the situation with a blunt phrase: "They have no money, no oil, no food."
The Cuban state television frames all of this as a manipulation strategy by Washington to create the narrative of negotiations that, according to Havana, do not exist on the terms the regime would accept. The commentator summarizes the official stance with a phrase that appeals to José Martí: “Plan against plan.” He concludes that Cuba's willingness to engage in dialogue is genuine, but it must be “without loopholes, in a serious and responsible manner, based on respect for sovereignty and international law.”
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