Mariela Castro’s Remarks on Her Father’s Role in Cuban-U.S. Negotiations
Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuba’s 90-year-old communist leader Raul Castro, stated on Thursday that her father is directly involved in the “decision-making” process regarding the Cuban regime’s discussions with the United States.
At 63, Mariela is the second of Raúl Castro’s four children and serves as the director of CENESEX, the national sex education center that promotes communist ideology within the LGBT community in Cuba. In a conversation with Agence France-Presse (AFP), she addressed the current situation in Cuba as well as the ongoing negotiations confirmed by both nations.
“My father closely monitors all news and provides insights that aid in decision-making,” she informed AFP.
This interview, reported by AFP, occurred during an event in Havana marking the Cuban government’s perspective on the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. On that occasion, a cadre of Cubans trained by the U.S. aimed to overthrow the communist regime but faced abandonment by President John F. Kennedy, resulting in their defeat.
Mariela emphasized that the Cuban populace desires dialogue to ease tensions with the U.S., yet she insisted it must occur without questioning their political system. “We are preparing for the worst,” she added.
In recent weeks, amid speculation and statements from President Donald Trump, Cuban “President” Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed that discussions have taken place between Cuban officials and American representatives. This comes as the Cuban regime struggles with significant dysfunction, particularly after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, a key supporter, by U.S. authorities on January 3.
The disruption in Maduro’s regime has left Cuba without vital Venezuelan oil supplies that were crucial for maintaining its deteriorating infrastructure.
According to a report from USA Today, the Pentagon may be preparing to “attack” Cuba, but this claim clashes with earlier statements from Gen. Francis Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), who claimed the Pentagon was not planning an invasion or any active military action against Cuba.
Trump remarked, “Cuba is a failed state. We’re going to do this, and when this is over, we might stop in Cuba,” referencing the ongoing conflict in Iran. He characterized Cuba as mismanaged for many years.
During the Bay of Pigs commemoration, Diaz-Canel assured that Cuba was “prepared” to confront any military action from the United States, reasserting the nation’s commitment to socialism. Notably, the “president” appeared in military garb.
True to the norm under the Cuban regime, Diaz-Canel deflected any personal accountability for the state of decline in Cuba, blaming instead the U.S. “embargo,” which he called a “genocide.”
“The primary cause of our issues is the United States government’s genocidal blockade,” he stated, as reported by Cuban state media.
He continued, expressing, “Long live socialism! The Fatherland or death, we will prevail.” Diaz-Canel further asserted that “Cuba is not a failed state. It is a state under siege, facing multidimensional aggression and threats.”
As quoted by Kubadebate, he put forth a strong defense of socialism, claiming it as the “only guarantee of social justice,” and referenced China, Vietnam, and the Soviet Union instead of citing Cuba as a model.
Diaz-Canel called for national and international solidarity to spread awareness of Cuba’s situation, reiterating his aversion to military action while claiming to be “ready to confront it.”
On Thursday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted that the United States does not seek a humanitarian crisis, but rather aims for meaningful change to benefit the Cuban people. He noted that the economy could prosper if the communist regime were dismantled.
“It would be beneficial for Cubans, advantageous for America, and a positive development for the entire region,” Wright concluded.
