Havana/The cover of ABC This Wednesday abounds in the information already advanced by independent Cuban journalists such as Carlos Cabrera. With sources from Mexican officials, the Spanish newspaper credits that Havana holds talks “discreet” with Washington that seek to guarantee the political permanence of Castroism through economic concessions and that the intermediary is General Alejandro Castro Espín, son of Raúl Castro.
He is, the report indicates, who has been in charge of conversations in Mexico City with US Intelligence agents, mediated by the Government of Claudia Sheinbaum, in an attempt to negotiate a “transition” without the Cuban regime being overthrown.
The first exchanges have revolved around the possible relief of the embargo that has intensified in recent weeks. This relief could occur by negotiating the entry of American companies into important sectors of the economy, such as energy, tourism, banking or communications. According to sources from Mexican officials consulted by ABCa possible initial gesture would be the authorization of sales of US crude oil to Cuba in sufficient quantities to sustain its energy system, which needs between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day.
A possible initial gesture would be the authorization of sales of US crude oil to Cuba in sufficient quantities to sustain its energy system.
The exchange has occurred at the same time that, in statements to CNN, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, denied the existence of a bilateral dialogue formal agreement between Cuba and the United States, although it did recognize the existence of specific contacts through messages. The official position of the Cuban Government thus contradicts the statements of the Cuban government itself. donald trumpwhich did affirm that there is a negotiation underway between both countries.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has declared in his appearance before the press This Thursday that “Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States,” with the condition of “not addressing issues that we could understand as interference in our internal affairs.”
Since the capture by the United States, on January 3, of the then Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and the consequent interruption of the oil that the Island received from Venezuela, Mexico has become the only supplier of fuel to Cuba, but the strengthening of pressure from Washington and the threat of imposing tariffs seem to have dissuaded President Claudia Sheinbaum from sending more crude oil. Trump’s threats could deepen the humanitarian crisis suffered by the island, at a time when the Republican insists that the Castro regime is exhausted.
The possible opening that would be sought with the negotiations led by Alejandro Castro is emerging more as a maneuver by the regime to ensure its political continuity than as a step towards democratization or real liberalization of the economy. The possibility of accessing American oil aims to avoid what within the Cuban power apparatus itself is known as “Option Zero” – the complete paralysis of the country due to lack of fuel, without allies capable of supporting the Government – a possibility that has been threatening Cubans in recent days and that President Díaz-Canel seems to have suggested during his appearance this Thursday when declaring that the Government is preparing a plan for “acute fuel shortage” in the face of pressure from the United States.
