US and Cuba hold talks amid heightened tensions over Trumps rhetoric

Cuba Holds Talks with US Government to Address Blockade

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that discussions have been held between Cuban officials and the US government to find solutions to the ongoing blockade imposed by Washington. The talks aimed to resolve bilateral differences through dialogue, according to Diaz-Canel.

In a video address aired on national television, Diaz-Canel attributed the lack of petroleum shipments to the island in the past three months to the US energy blockade. He also mentioned that critical oil shipments from Venezuela were halted following the US attack on South America and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro.

The talks come after US President Donald Trump made a recent threat against Cuba, stating that the White House’s plans for the Caribbean nation may include a “friendly takeover”. Diaz-Canel emphasized that Cuba has been generating its own power to meet demand, but it has not been sufficient. The lack of power has affected various aspects of daily life, including communications, education, and transportation.

The Cuban president stated that the aim of the talks was to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of their citizens. Additionally, the goal was to identify areas of cooperation to address threats and ensure security and peace in both countries and the region.

Source: Al Jazeera