In a bid to connect with specific segments of the Cuban diaspora, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Havana's regime, recently met with a group of Cuban residents in the United States at the Cuban embassy in Washington. Notably, opposition activists were not part of this gathering. During the meeting, the diplomat discussed the current state and future prospects of U.S.-Cuba relations. As anticipated, he echoed the official narrative, warning of potential escalations in U.S. sanctions.
According to Prensa Latina, Fernández de Cossío emphasized that there is ongoing interest in reinforcing the "maximum pressure" policy initiated under Donald Trump's administration (2017-2021), which has been continued by the current U.S. government. The diplomat described some U.S. sectors' belief in the imminent collapse of the Cuban regime as a political "delusion," despite the persistent systemic crisis in the Caribbean nation, characterized by blackouts, poverty, and daily hardships.
Just recently, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed a similar sentiment during his address at the UN Human Rights Council, reiterating the regime's stance amidst the challenges faced by Cuban families.
Historical Patterns of Engagement
The Cuban regime has consistently sought investments from emigrants. At the Fifth National Meeting of Cuban Residents in the U.S., held in New York in September 2024, Cuban officials assured that proposals from emigrants would be welcomed, provided they respected the "sovereignty and unity" of the nation. The event aimed to gather emigrants supportive of the Cuban government and the lifting of the embargo, while dissenting voices were sidelined.
Cuban Government's Stance at the UN
In Geneva, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla recently reiterated that the regime has no plans to alter its internal policies, despite the severe economic and social crisis on the island. He attributed the hardships faced by the Cuban people to the U.S. embargo and reaffirmed the government's "resilience" against external pressures. These statements align with the regime's official position, which consistently blames external factors for the island's internal crisis, ignoring structural and governance issues exacerbating the situation.
Rising Tensions Between Cuba and the U.S.
The reinstatement of Cuba on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism—an action taken on Trump's first day in office—continues to strain bilateral relations. This decision has been supported by current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, an advocate for harsher sanctions against the Cuban regime.
Meanwhile, Havana is seeking to rally support from certain sectors of the Cuban diaspora in the U.S. to counteract sanctions and attract investments to alleviate its crisis, all while remaining steadfast in its political and control model.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Diplomatic Relations
How has the U.S. "maximum pressure" policy affected Cuba?
The policy, initially enacted under the Trump administration, aims to exert economic and political pressure on Cuba, leading to increased sanctions and restrictions that have exacerbated the island's economic challenges.
What is the Cuban government's official stance on the U.S. embargo?
The Cuban government attributes the country's economic and social difficulties primarily to the U.S. embargo, insisting that it is the main obstacle to the nation's progress and development.
Why were opposition activists excluded from the recent embassy meeting?
The meeting aimed to engage with Cuban residents supportive of the regime, thereby excluding opposition activists who dissent from the government's policies and approach.