The administration of President Donald Trump is holding secret conversations with several individuals from Raúl Castro's inner circle, as revealed by Cuban-American Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart.
The information was disclosed by the Miami Herald, which cited statements from the Florida Republican lawmaker regarding indirect contacts between Washington and figures in the circle of the historical leader of the Cuban regime.
There have been conversations with multiple people surrounding Raúl Castro, basically with everyone close to Raúl, at the highest level, but they are not negotiations,” stated Díaz-Balart.
The congressman compared these contacts to the conversations that the U.S. administration had previously with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro before his capture in a military operation earlier this year.
Although officially retired, Raúl Castro, at 94 years old, is still regarded as the most powerful figure within the Cuban political system.
His family and the high military command control key sectors of the economy through the GAESA business conglomerate.
It was previously reported that advisors to Secretary of State Marco Rubio met last month with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, during a meeting held on the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts.
However, Díaz-Balart assured that the contacts of the U.S. administration with the environment of the Cuban leader have been broader than previously known.
Among the figures who could be part of that inner circle are Colonel Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Raúl Castro; his daughters Mariela Castro and Deborah Castro; as well as senior military officials linked to the regime's economic control.
In recent days, Trump has indicated that he will focus his attention on Cuba once the situation regarding Iran is resolved and has reiterated that the Cuban regime could fall soon.
The U.S. president has also stated that the leaders of the Cuban government are seeking to reach an agreement with Washington in light of the growing economic pressure.
Among the measures implemented by his administration is the cut in oil shipments to the island from Venezuela and Mexico, which has worsened the energy crisis the country is facing.
According to sources cited by the Miami Herald, among the ideas discussed in those informal contacts are potential economic agreements that could make Cuba dependent on U.S. oil.
Díaz-Balart insisted that the Trump administration does not consider any agreements that would keep the Castro family in power.
"Partial changes are not acceptable; the concept of Raúl without Raúl is not acceptable for this administration," stated the congressman.
Meanwhile, Cuba is experiencing one of the worst economic and energy crises in its recent history, with prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and rising social unrest among the population.
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