Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez announced that there has been no progress in talks with the US and that negotiations have stalled. At a press conference on Tuesday, Rodriguez said, 'The talks between the Cuban and US governments are making no progress.'
Rodriguez said that President Donald Trump increased pressure on Cuba in his second term, adding, 'The generally respectful attitude of US government delegations has been accompanied by constant threats, coercive measures, and insults to our independence.'
US fuel blockade and military threat
The US has imposed a comprehensive trade embargo on Cuba since the 1960s. The Trump administration effectively cut off Cuba's foreign oil supply in January by threatening tariffs on countries providing fuel. Trump also stated that he is considering military action against Cuba after the US-Israeli war against Iran ends.
In March, Cuban officials confirmed that negotiations with the Trump administration had begun, but the details of the talks were not made public. Shortly after, reports emerged that Trump demanded the resignation of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. The Cuban government rejected this demand.
UN General Assembly session and US pressure
Rodriguez claimed that Washington is trying to block the UN General Assembly session scheduled for July 7, which is to discuss 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 said the US State Department is trying to pressure and intimidate UN members into not attending the session. The symbolic resolution, passed almost every year by an overwhelming majority 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, as a 'humanitarian gesture,' 2,010 prisoners were pardoned, though critics noted that political dissidents imprisoned for 'crimes against authority' were not included.
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, loosen state control of the economy. However, Cuba declared that its political model is not open to debate and that it will resist any possible US invasion.
Energy crisis and humanitarian impact
Cuba's largely foreign-dependent energy grid has only received fuel from a Russian tanker in March since January. The fuel shortage has worsened power outages lasting up to 40 hours; public transport has come to a standstill, and hospitals struggle to get electricity.
At the press conference, Rodriguez said US sanctions 'are causing deaths' in Cuba. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also said last week that the infant mortality rate had doubled to 9.9 per thousand, stating, 'Children are dying because doctors cannot access basic medical supplies and medicines. This is unacceptable. Sanctions must be lifted immediately.'
Increasing US sanctions
Trump and Cuban-born US Secretary of State Marco Rubio are maintaining the pressure. In early June, the US added President Diaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, as well as former leader Raul Castro's son and grandson, to the sanctions list. Last month, the Trump administration issued an arrest warrant for Fidel Castro for his role in the downing of two civilian planes in 1996.
Rubio argued that the communist leaders, who have underinvested in infrastructure for decades, are responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Cuba and said, 'While the Cuban people struggle with fuel shortages and power outages, the communist leaders have directed energy resources to fill their own pockets.'
Cuba has entered its fifth month under the fuel blockade.
