The Cuban regime does not anticipate changes in U.S. policy toward the island as a result of the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, according to AFP the chargé d'affaires of the Cuban embassy in Washington, Lianys Torres Rivera.
“We are not deluding ourselves about that. It is something that the Americans have to decide,” the diplomat stated in an interview reported by several media outlets, referring to the elections that will renew the entire House of Representatives and one third of the Senate.
The elections could alter the balance of power in the U.S. Congress, which is currently under Republican control, but Torres dismissed any expectations that Havana has for a change in Washington's policy toward Cuba.
Diplomatic contacts without progress
The Cuban representative acknowledged that the embassy maintains communication channels with the State Department, although she admitted that these exchanges have not produced concrete results.
“We maintain communication channels with the government of the United States that have included some contacts, and we believe they have not progressed,” he explained to AFP.
Torres defended the discretion with which Havana manages these exchanges: "Historically, we have been discreet in handling the details of how the contacts take place because we believe it is the best way for them to progress."
Her statements align with those made in October by Tanieris Diéguez, the second-in-command at the Cuban embassy in Washington, who also acknowledged the existence of contacts with the United States, but dismissed any progress towards meaningful dialogue.
The government of Donald Trump has intensified economic and diplomatic pressure on the Cuban regime through restrictions on oil supply and sanctions aimed at officials and sectors of the island's economy.
In response to that policy, Torres insisted that Havana is not seeking a direct confrontation with Washington.
"We do not threaten the United States, we do not want a hostile relationship", he affirmed.
The diplomat also questioned the argument made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has attributed Cuba's economic problems to the incompetence of the communist system.
“If the model is inefficient, why do they have to sanction it every week?” asked Torres.
Relations with Cubans abroad
Torres also stated that the embassy is open to maintaining contact with members of the Cuban community residing in the United States who are interested in exploring business opportunities on the island.
"There are Cubans establishing businesses legally in Cuba. Cubans living abroad, not just in the United States," he stated, without providing figures on these initiatives.
The statements come after a new diplomatic escalation between Washington and Havana during the annual debate of the United Nations General Assembly on the U.S. embargo.
The resolution presented by Cuba received on October 28 130 votes in favor, 17 against, and 25 abstentions, marking a significant decline in international support compared to previous votes.
During that day, a diplomatic confrontation also took place between the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz.
The incident later resulted in the expulsion of a Cuban diplomat from U.S. territory.
When questioned about those events, Torres stated that what mattered for Havana was the overwhelming support received at the United Nations and reiterated that communication channels with Washington remain open, although without progress.
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