Cuba denies leadership divisions after Raul Castro's grandson offers US talks

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz asserted on Thursday night that there are no divisions within the country's leadership, addressing speculation that arose after Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, grandson of former leader Raul Castro, expressed openness to negotiating with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Marrero rejected the speculation, stating on social media that conversations have been held with U.S. government representatives to resolve bilateral differences. He emphasized that the working team responsible for this strategic responsibility has the full trust, support, and mandate from Army General Raul Castro and First Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee and President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Senior Cuban foreign ministry officials have consistently stated that while communication channels with the U.S. remain open, no significant progress has been achieved in the bilateral relationship. Tensions between the two nations recently escalated at the United Nations, where Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, characterized the U.S. fuel embargo and economic sanctions as a "systematic violation of the human rights of an entire people in an act of collective punishment." The majority of countries speaking during the UN debate urged Washington to lift the blockade and reverse the sanctions that have severely impacted Cuba's economy. In response, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz attributed Cuba's electricity shortfalls to its own government.