Cuba signals dialogue with US amid sanctions pressure and power crisis

Cuba has confirmed that preliminary discussions are underway with the United States , with former president Raúl Castro, brother of late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, playing an advisory role as Havana navigates one of the most severe economic and energy crises in recent years.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said officials from both sides have held initial contacts aimed at opening a channel for dialogue, though he stressed the process remains at a very early stage. “A process of conversations that leads to an agreement is a long process,” Díaz-Canel said in a recorded interview with Spanish political leader Pablo Iglesias , noting that the first step is building dialogue and identifying areas of common interest.

The talks come at a time of growing tensions between Havana and Washington . Cuba is facing severe fuel shortages and repeated nationwide blackouts as its ageing power grid struggles without adequate oil supplies. The island has reportedly gone nearly three months without major fuel shipments, leaving millions coping with prolonged power outages that have disrupted industries, services and daily life.

Havana blames the worsening situation on US sanctions and restrictions on oil supplies, which it says have tightened the long-standing US embargo on the island.

The United States argues that Cuba’s economic difficulties are largely the result of its political and economic system. Cuba is a one-party communist state , where the Communist Party controls the government and major sectors of the economy. Washington has stepped up pressure, warning that countries supplying oil to Cuba could face tariffs , aiming to curb fuel shipments and encourage reforms . US President Donald Trump has also sharply criticised the Cuban government for its policies and governance.

Despite the contacts, Cuban leaders insist their political system and leadership are not negotiable , stressing that dialogue must be based on mutual respect and sovereignty.

At 94, Raúl Castro remains an influential figure in Cuban politics. He previously led the historic 2014 rapprochement with the United States under former US President Barack Obama , which restored diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. For now, officials say the current discussions remain exploratory as both countries cautiously reopen communication channels.