Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez announced that negotiations with the US have made no progress and have reached a deadlock. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Rodriguez said, "The talks between the Cuban and US governments are making no progress."
Rodriguez noted that President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Cuba in his second term, stating, "The generally respectful attitude of US government delegations has been accompanied by constant threats against Cuba, coercive measures, and statements insulting our independence."
US fuel blockade and military threat
The US has maintained a comprehensive trade embargo against Cuba since the 1960s. The Trump administration effectively cut off Cuba's foreign oil supply in January by threatening to impose tariffs on countries providing fuel to the island. Trump also said he is considering a military operation against Cuba following the end of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
In March, Cuban officials confirmed that negotiations with the Trump administration had begun, but details of the talks were not made public. Reports soon emerged in the press claiming Trump had demanded the resignation of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The Cuban government rejected this demand.
UN General Assembly session and US pressure
Rodriguez alleged that Washington is trying to block a session scheduled for July 7 at the UN General Assembly, which is set to debate the US embargo on Cuba. The minister said, "The US multifaceted attack on Cuba is ongoing and intensifying," emphasizing the urgency of the session.
Rodriguez stated that the US State Department is pressuring and intimidating UN member states to not attend the session. The symbolic resolution, passed by an overwhelming majority almost every year at the UN, calls for an end to the US embargo on Cuba.
Cuba's steps and reforms
After the Trump administration launched its pressure campaign, Cuba took steps to address human rights concerns. In April, 2,010 prisoners were pardoned as a "humanitarian gesture," though critics noted the release did not include political dissidents jailed for "crimes against authority."
Earlier this month, the Cuban Communist Party approved free-market reforms as part of an emergency economic package. These steps, which expand private enterprise and foreign investment opportunities, are loosening state control of the economy. However, Cuba has declared that its political model is not open to debate and that it will resist a possible US invasion.
Energy crisis and humanitarian impact
Cuba's energy grid, which is heavily dependent on imports, has only been able to receive fuel from a Russian tanker in March since January. The fuel shortage has worsened power outages lasting up to 40 hours, brought public transportation to a standstill, and left hospitals struggling to access electricity.
Rodriguez said at the press conference that US sanctions are "causing deaths" in Cuba. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also said last week that the infant mortality rate has doubled to 9.9 per thousand, stating, "Children are dying because doctors cannot access basic medical supplies and medicines. This is unacceptable. The sanctions must be lifted immediately."
Increasing sanctions from the US
Trump and Cuban-born US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are maintaining the pressure. In early June, the US placed President Diaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, as well as the son and grandson of former leader Raul Castro, on a sanctions list. Last month, the Trump administration issued an arrest warrant for Fidel Castro over his role in the downing of two civilian aircraft in 1996.
Rubio argued that the "communist leaders who have underinvested in infrastructure for decades" are responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, saying, "While the Cuban people are struggling with fuel shortages and power cuts, the communist leaders directed energy resources to line their own pockets."
Cuba is now in its fifth month under the fuel blockade.
