Key facts
- Cuba and the US have maintained "channels of communication" but are not engaged in formal negotiations, according to Cuba's top diplomat in Washington.
- Cuba's chargé d’affaires, Lianys Torres Rivera, said Cuba is open to respectful dialogue but is increasing its defense preparations.
- US President Donald Trump has asserted that "Marco Rubio was deep into negotiations" with Havana, a claim that falls short of the diplomat's description.
- Cuba's "red line" is that it will not negotiate changes to its political system.
- The US has tightened its embargo against Cuba, restricting travel and banking access.
Cuba and the United States have maintained "channels of communication" but are not currently engaged in any formal negotiations, according to Lianys Torres Rivera, Cuba's chargé d’affaires in Washington. In an interview, Torres Rivera stated that Cuba remains open to a "respectful" dialogue but is "not naïve" about President Donald Trump’s threats and has increased preparations to defend itself.