The Communist Party of Cuba (PCC, the only legal one) announced this Friday that representatives of it “have recently held conversations with representatives of the United States Government.”
“Led by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz as leader of the Revolution and by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez – and in collegiate action with the highest structures of the Party, the State, and the Government -, Cuban officials have recently held conversations with representatives of the Government of the United States,” says the statement, spread on social networks.
In a recorded message, Díaz-Canel explained for his part that “Cuba has held conversations with representatives of the United States Government aimed at seek solutions through dialogue to the differences between both governments”.
The objective was, “in the first instance, to identify the problems that need a solution and the possible solutions they may have,” added the president, who clarified that agreements are still “far away.”
The aim is to “determine the willingness of both parties to carry out actions for the benefit of the people of both countries” and “identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and guarantee peace and security of both nations” and also “of the Latin American and Caribbean region.
“This is an issue that is being developed as part of a very sensitive process that is conducted with seriousness and responsibility because it affects the bilateral ties between the two nations and demands enormous and arduous efforts to find a solution and create spaces of understanding that allow us to move forward and move away from confrontation,” he stated.
Díaz-Canel added that in these “exchanges”, the Cuban side has expressed “the will” for them to be carried out.on the basis of equality and respect for political systems of both states, to the sovereignty and self-determination of our governments”.
Washington has increased pressure on Cuba in recent months blocking the entry of oil imports to the islandwhich only produces a third of the crude oil to satisfy its energy needs.
US President Donald Trump had assured on several occasions in recent weeks that representatives of his Executive were maintaining contacts with Cuban authorities.
Havana denied these conversations on several occasions, but stopped doing so in recent weeks.
This Thursday the Cuban Government announced the release of 51 prisoners after maintaining contacts with the Vatican. The Foreign Ministry’s statement on this decision made no mention of the United States.
