In a rare on-camera message, President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuban officials have held talks with representatives of the US government to try to find solutions to the energy blockade that has been squeezing the island.

What Díaz-Canel said

He described the meetings as efforts to resolve bilateral differences through dialogue. According to Díaz-Canel, Cuban negotiators took part "on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states, and for the sovereignty and self-determination" of Cuba.

Energy shortages and the blackout

Díaz-Canel said no petroleum shipments have arrived in Cuba in the past three months, a problem he attributes to a US energy blockade. Cuba produces about 40% of its petroleum needs and has been trying to generate power domestically, but that has not covered demand.

The western region of the country was hit by a massive blackout last week, leaving millions without electricity. The president spelled out the consequences:

  • Communications have been disrupted.
  • Schools and education have been affected.
  • Transportation has suffered interruptions.
  • Tens of thousands of surgeries had to be postponed because of power shortages.

"The impact is tremendous," Díaz-Canel said.

Who was involved in the talks

US officials have acknowledged high-level engagement. Cuba had previously denied official encounters, but did not explicitly reject reports of back-channel discussions involving Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the 41-year-old grandson of former leader Raúl Castro. Rodríguez Castro was seen sitting behind Díaz-Canel in the video with other Communist Party figures.

US representatives reportedly met Rodríguez Castro last month on the sidelines of the Caricom meeting in St Kitts and Nevis. He does not hold a formal government post, but remains close to his grandfather, who still holds significant influence in Cuba.

Why this matters now

The announcement follows a February address from Díaz-Canel in which he warned the country could face measures well outside the normal playbook if shortages and blackouts continued. At the same time, former US president Donald Trump has publicly suggested Cuba is near collapse and has said the island might be subject to a "friendly takeover", then added it "may not be a friendly takeover."

The conflicting statements and these confirmed contacts show both sides are talking, while ordinary Cubans continue to cope with daily shortages and a strained health system.