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The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, stated in an exclusive interview granted to PBS NewsHour this Wednesday that the dialogue channel between Havana and Washington "is open," although she cautioned that there are "reasons to doubt the seriousness of the U.S. side."
Vidal acknowledged that the conversations between both governments are handled "discreetly" and refused to confirm whether they are currently engaged in formal negotiations, but he reiterated the Cuban regime's willingness to dialogue: "We have always favored dialogue with the United States and with any other country, as we see it as the only way for countries to discuss their differences."
The interview takes place at a time of heightened bilateral tension, with U.S. increasing surveillance flights around Cuba, an aircraft carrier positioned in the Caribbean, and President Trump reiterating that he can "do whatever he wants" with the island.
Regarding the internal crisis, Vidal provided a devastating description: "Imagine a country that hasn't received a single drop of oil in five months. We have had to postpone surgeries. This has impacted electricity generation and, consequently, health services, education, and water supply." He described the situation as an unjustified "collective punishment."
This week, Cuba received a shipment of humanitarian aid from China, amid a food and energy crisis that the could lead to a collapse of essential services.
Vidal categorically rejected the Trump administration's accusations that Cuba poses a threat to the national security of the United States: "The U.S. government is not telling the truth. U.S. agencies know very well that Cuba is not and has never been a threat." He also denied the existence of intelligence operations from China or Russia on Cuban territory.
Regarding the visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana on May 14 and 15 — the first by a director of that agency to Cuba in decades — Vidal refused to comment. He did indicate that Washington "has never presented any official evidence" to support its accusations and described those allegations as "a pretext to justify the escalation."
In response to a question about a possible U.S. military action, the deputy minister was direct: "We take the threats from the United States very, very seriously. And we have always been ready to defend our country." However, she clarified that Cuba "is not seeking conflict" and that "there is no reason for Cubans and Americans to die."
Vidal also lashed out at Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of exiled Cubans and the main architect of economic pressure against the island: "Marco Rubio does not know Cuba. He has never been to Cuba. He does not understand Cuba. It seems he is not familiar with the history of Cuba."
Rubio, for his part, stated this week that the U.S. will continue to engage with Cuba because "having afailed state 90 miles from our shores is a threat to national security."
Vidal made it clear that Havana is willing to negotiate "on any other topic" with one exception: "Issues related to our internal order are the exclusive domain of the Cuban people and only the Cuban people."
The conversations between Cuba and the U.S. were described by Vidal in April as "very preliminary" and lacking formal structure, which contrasts with the tone of openness she projected in this interview.
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