Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío denied that Havana is seeking intermediaries like Mexico for negotiations with the United States, despite willingness for bilateral dialogue. This contrasts with President Donald Trump's claims of ongoing talks. Mexico reiterated its readiness to mediate if requested by both sides, while announcing humanitarian aid to the island amid its energy crisis.
On February 3, 2026, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío rejected in an EFE interview the notion that Havana is jointly designing a negotiation table with the United States. "It would be a mistake to say that a bilateral negotiation is being designed because that dialogue has not started," he stated. Since Nicolás Maduro's capture by the United States on January 3, Cuba and Washington have exchanged messages, but De Cossío emphasized no indirect contacts through intermediaries like Mexico or the Vatican.
His remarks contrast with recent statements from Donald Trump, who has assured that his administration is holding high-level negotiations with the Cuban government. De Cossío stressed that Cuba holds the "legal and moral right" against the oil blockade and is willing to dialogue, provided it is a "serious, constructive, responsible process respectful of sovereign equality."
The diplomat outlined possible topics, excluding political or economic reforms, likening them to discussions on the U.S. Constitution or migrant raids in cities like Minneapolis. On political prisoners, he was firm: "We see no reason, we see no link between one issue (oil blockade) and the other (prisoners). We have no intention of discussing that."
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum, during her February 3 press conference, reiterated her country's readiness to mediate. "It depends on Cuba and the United States (...). Mexico has always set the table to address any conflict in line with principles of sovereignty and dialogue," she said. Mexico suspended oil shipments to Cuba—less than 1% of Pemex production—to avoid Trump's tariffs, but announced a new humanitarian aid package this week, tailored to the island's needs.
Cuba faces a worsening energy crisis: blackouts affecting up to 63% of the territory, due to breakdowns in obsolete power plants and lack of foreign currency since 2024, intensified by the loss of Venezuelan oil after Maduro's capture. De Cossío acknowledged limited options and announced a contingency plan and reorganization "very difficult" for the population.
In Mexican politics, PRI president Alejandro Moreno criticized Morena's support for Cuba, labeling its leaders "caviar communists" and mocking their alleged luxuries despite backing the "dictatorship." This responds to a video shared by Luisa Alcalde featuring statements from Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who praised the Cuban people as "humanity's heritage" for their resistance to the U.S. blockade.
