He stated that, despite the willingness to engage in dialogue, no progress has been made.
On Monday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the dialogue with the United States as “stalled,” though he denied that the island is “on the verge of collapse.”
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The Cuban president stated that, despite the willingness to engage in dialogue, no progress has been made and there is no defined agenda, adding that “There can be no dialogue under oppression.”
He recalled that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that all possible escape routes from Cuba would be cut off and denounced leaks about alleged CIA operations on the island.
The Cuban economy has contracted by more than 15% between 2020 and 2025, a situation exacerbated by the oil blockade initiated in January and secondary sanctions imposed since May, which have affected key sectors.
The Trump administration sanctioned leaders of Cuba’s Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and nine entities today involved in mining and construction.
Rubio said ICAP is used to “corrupt” Americans — echoing July’s McCarthyite report linking Cuba to U.S. progressives pic.twitter.com/3gSU9ir7ll
— Belly of the Beast (@bellybeastcuba) August 20, 2026
The population faces blackouts, paralyzed public transportation, minimal hospital services, and soaring prices for food and medicine. Diaz-Canel acknowledged the situation as “extremely complex,” but highlighted the resilience of the Cuban people.
He lashed out at the Donald Trump administration, accusing it of acting with “perversity.” Regarding the 176 economic reforms approved in June, 76.1% of which already have legal backing, the Cuban president insisted that they are not “capitalist” nor do they imply a restoration of capitalism.
He asserted that Cuba is in a process of socialist construction, the result of a debate spanning more than ten years, although experts point out that it reinforces the private sector’s role in confronting the crisis.
#Cuba | President Miguel Díaz-Canel has denounced escalating U.S. pressure as restrictions continue to affect fuel, energy and essential supplies on the island.
As Washington intensifies sanctions, what are the human costs of economic coercion?#UnitedStates #Sanctions… pic.twitter.com/XD1ImzQNUg— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 19, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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