Cuba Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Differences with Washington

Cuba Calls for Dialogue to Resolve Differences with Washington

Islamabad – 21 September 2026 (MT Team) : Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, has said that differences between Havana and Washington should be addressed through dialogue and mutual respect rather than economic pressure or military threats.

Speaking in an interview with PBS NewsHour, Fernández de Cossío reiterated Cuba’s readiness to maintain communication with the United States and engage in discussions aimed at addressing bilateral political differences.

The Cuban deputy foreign minister said that official channels of communication between the two countries remain open and that meetings between U.S. and Cuban representatives have taken place. However, he said Havana believes there has been no meaningful progress in the relationship amid continuing U.S. sanctions and other coercive measures.

“We continue to be ready to engage with the United States when they are ready to try to solve our political differences,” Fernández de Cossío said, emphasizing that Cuba believes dialogue and respect between the two governments could help identify common ground.

He stressed that Cuba’s sovereignty remains non-negotiable, saying that any objective involving the takeover of Cuba would be unacceptable to Havana.

Addressing concerns over military threats, Fernández de Cossío said Cuba takes such statements seriously and stressed that his country remains focused on defending its sovereignty while maintaining the possibility of diplomatic engagement.

The Cuban official also criticized the impact of U.S. economic measures on the Cuban population, linking the worsening shortages of fuel, electricity, food and water to the pressure being exerted on the island. These remarks come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, including new U.S. sanctions announced in September 2026.

Fernández de Cossío’s remarks underscored Havana’s stated preference for diplomacy and continued communication with Washington while maintaining its position on national sovereignty and bilateral relations.

“Through dialogue, through respect between the two governments, some common ground could be found,” he said.