Cuba has denied engaging in formal talks with the United States over the oil embargo, following President Donald Trump's assertions of advanced negotiations and Mexico halting supplies. This comes after Havana's condemnation of a recent US executive order tightening sanctions, amid Cuba's deepening energy crisis.
In a follow-up to Cuba's condemnation of the US executive order imposing tariffs on oil suppliers—issued January 29 and decried by Havana as an illegal escalation—Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío told The Associated Press on February 2 that no formal dialogue table exists with Washington. "If you ask me if we have a dialogue table today (with the United States), we don't," he said, while expressing openness to informal discussions respecting Cuba's political model.
Trump, who signed the order last week, claimed over the weekend that the US is negotiating with Cuban leaders to cut oil from Venezuela and Mexico, predicting Mexico would stop shipments and describing Cuba as a 'failed nation.' Cuba relies on imports for 60% of its crude needs, having lost Venezuelan supplies after the US capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3. Sanctions have caused $7.556 billion in losses from March 2024 to February 2025—49% higher than prior—and contributed to a 15% GDP drop over six years, fueling migration.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected Trump's prediction, announcing continued humanitarian aid via the Mexican Navy and diplomatic efforts to resolve the oil issue. While Pemex paused one crude shipment, officials seek ways to resume. Russia voiced support after a call between Foreign Ministers Bruno Rodríguez and Sergei Lavrov.
Tensions persist: US Chargé d'Affaires Mike Hammer faced protests in Camagüey shouting 'Down with the blockade!' The US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs urged Cuba to stop repressing diplomats.
