American private companies would be preparing investments in Cuba at a time when Washington and Havana maintain a relationship marked by sanctions, economic reforms, and contacts that do not always go through traditional diplomatic channels.
John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, stated that there are already "in-process" agreements for private U.S. investment in Cuba, according to statements reported by The Christian Science Monitor in an article published this Monday.
The specialist stated that although there may currently be less conventional diplomatic activity between the two governments, that does not mean communication has come to a halt.
"The governments, through private companies, are talking every day", said Kavulich to the American media.
The statement is relevant because it highlights a scenario where the private sector could be playing an increasing role in the economic relations between the United States and Cuba, even while sanctions from Washington against state entities on the Island continue.
Kavulich did not identify in his statements the companies involved, the expected amounts, or the specific projects that would be under negotiation. The source also does not allow us to conclude that these operations have already received all the necessary approvals to be realized.
However, he did expressly state that there are agreements for private U.S. investments in Cuba that are currently underway.
The president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council also believes that there is indirect communication between both governments through the decisions made by each party.
As an example, he pointed out that the economic reforms approved by the Cuban authorities send messages to Washington, while the new sanctions and other measures adopted by the Donald Trump administration also act as signals toward Havana.
"Perhaps there isn't much traditional diplomacy at the moment, but there is still a form of dialogue every day," he explained.
His interpretation contradicts the idea that contacts between Washington and Havana have been completely frozen in light of the upcoming midterm elections in the United States.
Business interest arises as strategic minerals like nickel and cobalt take center stage in the discussion about U.S. policy towards Cuba.
The Christian Science Monitor notes that the Trump administration pays special attention to the energy and mining sectors of the Island. At the same time, Washington continues to exert pressure through sanctions.
The State Department recently announced new measures against Cuban companies involved in mineral extraction and against state entities related to arms development, according to the same report.
This scenario illustrates two dynamics that progress simultaneously: economic pressure against Cuban state structures and, according to Kavulich, interest in increasing the participation of U.S. private companies.
The specialist believes that the Trump administration views some of the economic changes that have occurred in Cuba over the past few months positively.
According to their analysis, Washington believes it is achieving greater results through transactional diplomacy and economic pressure than through traditional diplomatic models.
For its part, the Cuban government has promoted economic changes in 2026 aimed at stimulating foreign investment, amid a deep economic and energy crisis.
Kavulich stated that, over the past nine months, the authorities on the Island have approved more reforms and changes than in any other period since 1959. This assessment belongs to the specialist and does not represent an independent conclusion from the media.
Cuban officials have publicly insisted that they are open to receiving U.S. private investment and engaging in discussions with Washington, but they assert that the country's political structure is not something they are willing to negotiate.
The Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío recently stated that Cuba is undergoing a process of economic changes, although he maintained that the State will retain its role within the system.
Kavulich's statements introduce an additional element to that scenario: regardless of the level of visible diplomatic engagement, American private companies are already exploring concrete opportunities within Cuba.
For now, the source does not specify what those projects are nor does it allow us to determine when they might materialize. However, the existence of "ongoing" investments, as described by a figure who has been monitoring the business relations between both countries for decades, suggests that the business sector is taking on a significant role in the relationship between Washington and Havana.
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