January 13, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
HAVANA, Cuba — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel declared on Monday that his government is not engaged in negotiations with the United States, dismissing claims of active diplomatic dialogue amid mounting tensions triggered by recent U.S. actions in the region. The remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Cuba to “make a deal before it is too late.”
Posting multiple statements on the social media platform X, President Díaz-Canel underscored that any progress in bilateral relations must be rooted in international law, mutual respect and sovereign equality, rather than in hostility, coercion or threats. He reiterated Cuba’s willingness to engage in responsible dialogue but stressed that such engagement must respect Cuba’s independence and non-interference in internal affairs.
The Cuban president’s comments were amplified by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who reposted the message on X, reflecting the government’s unified stance amid escalating diplomatic pressure.
Tensions heightened after President Trump’s remark suggesting Cuba should negotiate following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela earlier in January — an attack that resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban officers and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The attack also disrupted crucial oil supplies that Cuba had been receiving from Venezuela, Mexico and Russia, further straining the island nation’s fragile fuel situation.
Before the Venezuelan attack, Cuba imported an estimated 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Venezuela, as well as 5,500 barrels from Mexico and around 7,500 barrels from Russia — a lifeline now imperiled by the shifting geopolitical landscape.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in on the issue, refusing to disclose details about ongoing fuel shipments to Cuba but maintaining that Mexico has sufficient oil resources and is willing to support dialogue between Havana and Washington if both parties agree.
The Cuban economy has been under severe strain, grappling with prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages and a deteriorating electrical grid. Analysts and experts have warned that the loss of Venezuelan oil could exacerbate an already dire economic stagnation, which stems from longstanding U.S. sanctions and structural economic challenges.
Cuba’s government estimates that U.S. sanctions cost the nation more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025, a significant burden for an economy once buoyed by tourism revenues exceeding $3 billion annually prior to the pandemic.
The political climate has also contributed to a surge in Cuban emigration, as citizens seek opportunities abroad amid reduced immigration privileges in the U.S. — notably curtailed in recent years.
President Díaz-Canel affirmed that, aside from technical contacts on migration issues, no formal diplomatic negotiations with the United States are underway. The Cuban public remains deeply engaged in the debate, with ordinary citizens expressing concern over economic uncertainty and the future of their country.
As Havana stands firm against what it views as coercive U.S. pressure, the potential for diplomatic breakthroughs appears distant, with both sides entrenched in positions shaped by decades of historical tension and recent regional dynamics.