Trending Now - Cuba and US Engage in High-level Talks Amid Growing Crises
WHO:
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that he is directing the talks from the Cuban side along with the elder Castro and other officials.
Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of retired Cuban leader Raúl Castro, is involved in the discussions.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed the talks with the U.S. government during a televised address on March 13th, 2026.
Lianys Torres Rivera, Cuba’s chief of mission in the United States, stated that changes to Cuba's political system are off-limits.
President Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro (grandson of retired Cuban leader Raúl Castro), Ted Piccone (nonresident senior fellow at Brookings), Lee Schlenker (research associate at Quincy Institute), Elvis Hernández (Cuban citizen), Miguel García (Cuban citizen).
WHAT:
Díaz-Canel stated that the lack of power has affected communications, education, and transportation, leading to postponed surgeries for tens of thousands of people, and added: “The impact is tremendous.”
More than 115 bakeries across Cuba have been converted to run on firewood or coal.
Díaz-Canel noted that 955 solar panels have been installed in rural homes and social centers, with more solar systems expected to come online before the end of March 2026, adding 100 megawatts to Cuba's electric grid.
Díaz-Canel stated that the purpose of the talks was to identify “bilateral problems that require solutions based on their severity and impact.”
Díaz-Canel reported that Cuba has been generating its own power but has not been sufficient to meet demand, leading to the postponement of surgeries for tens of thousands of people.
As many as 11,000 children are on waiting lists for surgeries and procedures at health clinics in Cuba.
President Trump predicted the Cuban regime would fall "pretty soon."
Cuba confirmed it has held talks with the U.S. government.
Díaz-Canel stated that no fuel shipments have reached Cuba in over three months.
The Trump administration has been running a fuel blockade against Cuba since the end of January 2026.
Díaz-Canel mentioned that Cuba produces 40% of its petroleum.
The U.S. State Department is considering drawing down staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
Díaz-Canel reported that the lack of power has affected communications, education, and transportation, leading to postponed surgeries for tens of thousands of people.
WHERE:
Havana, Cuba; St. Kitts and Nevis (location of Rubio's meeting with Rodríguez Castro).
WHEN:
The most recent blackout was attributed to a broken boiler at a thermoelectric plant, which forced the shutdown of Cuba's power grid.
The talks were publicly acknowledged by Díaz-Canel on March 13th, 2026.
The talks were confirmed on March 13th, 2026.
Rubio met with Rodríguez Castro on February 25th, 2026.
The Trump administration's fuel blockade began at the end of January 2026.
WHY:
Díaz-Canel emphasized that the talks aim to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries and to identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and guarantee security and peace.
Díaz-Canel emphasized the need for talks to determine the willingness of both sides to take concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries.
The talks aim to find solutions to bilateral differences and address the severe energy crisis in Cuba.
Díaz-Canel attributed the energy crisis to the U.S. energy blockade.
HOW:
Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba is running on natural gas, solar power, and thermoelectric plants, but the depletion of fuel oil and diesel has forced two power plants to shut down and limited the generation of power at solar parks.
Díaz-Canel mentioned that the talks are still "in their first phase" and that negotiators from both countries are working "to establish an agenda."
The negotiations are described as being in their first phase, with both countries working to establish an agenda.
Díaz-Canel indicated that the talks are intended to identify areas of cooperation to confront threats and ensure security and peace for both nations.
(UPDATED March 14, 2026 05:21 UTC)
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that he is leading discussions alongside the elder Castro and other officials, with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of retired leader Raúl Castro, also participating. Díaz-Canel highlighted the severe impact of power outages on communications, education, and transportation, which have led to postponed surgeries for tens of thousands of people, while noting that efforts are underway to enhance the electric grid with the installation of solar panels and the conversion of bakeries to alternative fuels. The recent blackout, caused by a broken boiler at a thermoelectric plant, has further complicated the situation, prompting Díaz-Canel to stress the importance of cooperation between the involved parties to ensure the well-being and security of both nations.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 01:25 UTC)
In a televised address on March 13, President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuba is engaged in talks with the U.S. government to address bilateral issues that require urgent solutions. He highlighted the critical situation in Cuba's healthcare system, where power shortages have led to the postponement of surgeries for tens of thousands, including 11,000 children waiting for procedures. Díaz-Canel noted that these discussions are still in their early stages, with negotiators from both countries working to establish a clear agenda for future cooperation.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:12 UTC)
In a significant development, President Trump predicted that the Cuban regime would fall "pretty soon" during talks that were confirmed today, where Cuba acknowledged discussions with the U.S. government aimed at addressing the severe energy crisis on the island. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reported that no fuel shipments have reached Cuba in over three months due to a fuel blockade imposed by the Trump administration, which began at the end of January, and he noted that this situation has severely impacted communications, education, and healthcare. The negotiations, which are still in their early stages, seek to establish an agenda for cooperation between the two nations to confront shared threats and ensure security and peace.