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By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said he is open to talks with the U.S. after President Donald Trump urged the regime in Havana to make a deal with him "before it is too late."
Trump said he would block Cuba from receiving Venezuelan oil or funds—the island nation relies heavily on both—cranking the pressure on the communist regime in Havana, which Trump has put on notice of impending action by the U.S.
The Trump administration has asserted control over Venezuelan resources after seizing socialist President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas, a defining moment in the White House's implementation of its new "Donroe Doctrine" to aggressively pursue and protect its hegemony in the Western Hemisphere.
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Díaz-Canel, in a Monday morning post on X originally in Spanish, said there were currently "no conversations with the U.S. government, apart from technical contacts in the area of migration."
"We have always been willing to engage in serious and responsible dialogue with the different U.S. governments, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of international law, reciprocal benefit, noninterference in internal affairs, and full respect for our independence," he wrote.
The Cuban leader added, "As history shows, for relations between the United States and Cuba to move forward, they must be based on international law rather than hostility, threats, and economic coercion."
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On Sunday, Trump shared a message to Havana on his Truth Social platform.
"Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!" Trump wrote.
He continued: "Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last weeks U.S.A. attack, and Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will.
"THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA—ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."
Trump had previously said, "Cuba is ready to fall."
Beijing, a close ally of Havana, told the U.S. to lift its blockade and sanctions.
"China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and opposing external interference," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference on Monday.
She added, "We once again urge the U.S. to stop the blockade, sanctions, and coercion of all forms against Cuba at once, and act in ways conducive to regional peace and stability."
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