Cuban regime ambassador invites the U.S. to intervene in economic changes

The highest diplomat of the Cuban regime in Washington, Lianys Torres Rivera, and explicitly invited the United States to participate in the economic transformation of Cuba during an exclusive interview granted to USA TODAY published on Tuesday, March 31.

High-level negotiations are led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and began in earnest following the oil blockade imposed by Trump on Cuba through Executive Order 14380 on January 29, 2026, which cut between 80% and 90% of Cuba's crude oil imports.

"There is a wide range of topics we can discuss with the United States that benefit both its national interests and those of Cuba. If the United States wants to engage in the economic transformation in Cuba, let's do it," the official stated.

The statements come in the context of discreet negotiations between both governments, which intensified after Washington imposed an oil embargo two months ago.

According to Torres Rivera, the Cuban regime would be interested in a series of measures that would facilitate potential economic cooperation with the United States:

• To relax the embargo restrictions that prevent Cuba from acquiring products with more than 10% U.S. components.
• Suspend the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which would allow for greater investments and commercial operations.
• Remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism by the Department of State.

These proposals represent the first public indication of Havana's demands in the context of a potential economic agreement with Washington.

High-level discussions are being led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on behalf of the United States. It has been confirmed that contacts intensified following the new energy pressure measures on the island.

In February, Rubio met with a grandson of Raúl Castro, a key figure within the power structure of the regime. Subsequently, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly acknowledged on March 13 that discussions were ongoing with Washington.

The rapprochement occurs at a critical time for the Cuban economy, marked by a deep internal crisis, scarcity of basic goods, and growing social discontent, factors that increase the pressure on the regime to seek external relief.