Talks between Havana and Washington are reportedly under way, even as Cuba struggles with rolling power cuts tied to an oil blockade.

Where the talks stand

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said the conversations with the United States are at an early stage. He shared this in a videotaped interview that state media released. The comment arrived as Cuba continued to face nationwide blackouts linked to what Havana calls an oil blockade implemented by the United States.

Raul Castro's role

Diaz-Canel confirmed that Raul Castro is involved in guiding the negotiation process. He said Castro, together with party, government, and state officials, has helped shape how Cuba would handle any dialogue with the United States.

Diaz-Canel stressed the talks would take time. He outlined steps he sees as necessary: build a channel for dialogue, develop shared agendas of interest, and then demonstrate genuine commitment from all parties. In his words, "First, we must build a channel for dialogue. Then, we must build common agendas of interests for the parties, and the parties must demonstrate their intention to move forward and truly commit to the program based on the discussion of those agendas."

Although Diaz-Canel became president in 2018, the 94-year-old Raul Castro remains widely viewed as the most powerful figure in Cuba. Castro led the 2014 talks with former US president Barack Obama that resulted in the reopening of embassies and the re-establishment of formal diplomatic relations.

Why talks are happening now

The announcement follows public pressure from US president Donald Trump, who last week said he would have "the honour of taking Cuba" soon. In January, Trump also threatened tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba while pushing for changes to the island's political model. Although some of those threats were later softened, Cuba says it has not received any fuel shipments for three months.

Human cost: blackouts and mounting warnings

Cuba has seen prolonged power outages and a major disruption of daily life. In the last week, the island experienced two nationwide blackouts that left millions without electricity as the power grid deteriorates.

  • United Nations resident coordinator Francisco Pichon warned of a possible humanitarian crisis if conditions keep worsening.
  • Pichon and other officials put the immediate financial need at about $94 million to address the energy crisis and last years hurricane damage.
  • UN secretary general Antonio Guterres warned of a humanitarian "collapse".
  • World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the health situation in Cuba as "deeply concerning" because delivery of health services is under threat.

What happens next

Diaz-Canel said any successful process will be lengthy and must be built on clear channels and agreed agendas. Raul Castro and other senior figures appear to be helping to shape that path, but for now the immediate problem remains the energy shortage and its effects on public services and daily life.

International agencies are calling for funding and urgent assistance to avoid a broader humanitarian emergency, while diplomatic messages continue between Havana and Washington.