Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s leader, announced on Wednesday that Raul Castro, the country’s longtime dictator, is currently engaged in discussions with the United States.
Diaz-Canel shared this information during a recent interview with Pablo Iglesias, a leftist Spanish politician and former member of the European Parliament.
Iglesias was in Havana recently as part of the Nuestra América convoy, which brings together various leftist figures to support the Castro regime and deliver “humanitarian aid” to Cubans struggling under decades of communist rule.
The interview was published on CanalRed, a far-left TV channel in Madrid founded by Iglesias in 2023. Iglesias has a history of being openly critical of the U.S., even labeling the current U.S. government as “fascist.”
During the conversation, Diaz-Canel divulged that talks between his administration and Donald Trump’s team are ongoing, describing them as being in an “early” phase. He mentioned that Castro, now 94 years old, is actively involved in directing these negotiations.
“He [Castro] is one of the individuals working closely with me, along with the party, the government, and other state institutions, to shape how this dialogue moves forward,” Diaz-Canel stated.
“He’s keeping a close eye on how things are progressing, and while it’s still early, it’s encouraging to see some positive outcomes,” he added. “Above all, his commitment remains with the people and the revolution, ensuring the country’s safety against threats.”
“Under our joint leadership, our officials have recently met with State Department representatives to address the differences between our nations and explore potential solutions,” he emphasized.
Even though Diaz-Canel is formally the head of Cuba’s regime, Castro, despite having stepped back from public duties in 2018, continues to wield significant power over the troubled nation.
Diaz-Canel referred to Castro as “a historic leader of the revolution,” denying any rift within the government’s leadership.
“No one can overlook his historical significance and contributions to the nation,” he remarked. “In various contexts, some leaders hold influence not due to their titles but because of their experiences and legacies.”
This month, Diaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuban officials have engaged in valuable discussions with their U.S. counterparts. These talks follow a precarious period for the Cuban regime, especially after the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, who had received asylum from Cuba during his arrest by U.S. forces.
“From the start, the Revolution has signaled its readiness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. to resolve our differences—without pressure or conditions, and based on mutual respect,” Diaz-Canel stressed. “This desire aligns with the historical context of revolutions.”
Diaz-Canel highlighted the significant meeting between Raúl Castro and former President Barack Obama during the “Cuban thaw,” where concessions were granted to Cuba without stringent demands for freedom for its people. He characterized that meeting as a “concrete agreement” leading to some easing of sanctions.
While stating it’s premature to determine the U.S.’s demands in these discussions due to the multitude of issues at play, he hinted at various topics such as the Cuban economy, immigration, and drug trafficking. When asked about what might be considered “unacceptable” for Cuba, Diaz-Canel responded: “I will not concede to being told I must adopt a specific stance in order to engage in dialogue.”
“Our sovereignty, independence, and political structures should be respected, just as we respect theirs,” he asserted. “These aspects are not negotiable. We must operate on a foundation of reciprocity and adhere to international law.”
