Cuba has opened talks with the United States in an effort to address longstanding bilateral disputes, President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said on Friday, as the country grapples with a worsening economic and energy crisis.

“These talks have been aimed at finding solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences we have between the two nations,” Díaz-Canel said in a video broadcast on state television.

According to the Cuban leader, the discussions have been facilitated by international actors and remain in their early stages.

Oil Blockade Deepens Cuba’s Energy Crisis

The announcement comes as Cuba faces hours-long power blackouts and severe fuel shortages, which officials say have been intensified by an oil blockade imposed by Donald Trump.

The blockade followed Washington’s move to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, cutting off oil shipments from Venezuela, one of Cuba’s most important energy suppliers. The United States has also threatened tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba.

Díaz-Canel said no fuel has entered Cuba for three months, causing a decline in diesel and fuel oil reserves and leaving the island’s electrical grid increasingly “unstable.”

Talks to Be Based on Respect and Sovereignty

Cuba said it is willing to continue discussions with Washington, but only “on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states”, as well as the sovereignty and self-determination of each government.

The Cuban president said he is directing the talks alongside former president Raúl Castro and other officials. He did not specify who represented the United States in the meetings or where they took place.

Trump has previously said that Marco Rubio was involved in discussions with Cuban representatives.

Early Stage Dialogue

Díaz-Canel said the goal of the initial exchanges is to determine whether both sides are willing to reach a broader agreement.

Although the Cuban government had previously denied that official negotiations were underway, the president confirmed that Cuban officials recently held talks with U.S. representatives aimed at resolving differences through dialogue.

Prisoner Release Linked to Vatican Mediation

Separately, Cuba said it will release 51 prisoners in the coming days under an agreement with the Vatican.

The announcement followed a meeting two weeks earlier between Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Pope Leo at the Vatican.

In the past, the Vatican has acted as a mediator between the two countries, including during negotiations that led to a diplomatic thaw in 2014.