Cuba has begun negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump amidst the greatest energy crisis in the country's history, Reuters writes .
Workers lower the Cuban flag near the US Embassy in Havana in memory of Cubans who died during a US operation in Venezuela. January 5, 2026. Photo: AP Photo / Ramon Espinosa
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced in an address to citizens that the country has not received fuel for three months, and the energy system is becoming increasingly unstable. To counter the crisis and increase energy independence, Cuba increased its own oil and gas production in 2026, and plans to increase solar energy generation by 10% by the end of March.
The Cuban president also stated that the Cuban authorities have decided to negotiate with the US. He himself, along with the former head of the country, 94-year-old Raúl Castro, now leads the negotiating team from Cuba.
Díaz-Canel emphasized that the country is ready to cooperate with the Americans on the basis of equality, respect for the political systems of both states, and sovereignty.
Currently, in the Cuban capital Havana, electricity is absent for more than 12 hours a day, and the energy system is in a state of "extreme instability" after traditional oil supplies from Venezuela ceased in January due to a successful US operation to capture the then-leader of the country, Nicolás Maduro.
In addition, the Cuban authorities announced that they would release 51 political prisoners as a "gesture of goodwill" towards the US through the mediation of the Vatican.
At the end of January, Donald Trump introduced a state of emergency regarding Cuba and additional duties for countries supplying it with oil, accusing the country of cooperating with "hostile states and terrorist groups" and violating human rights. In response, Cuba declared an "international state of emergency".
Trump also hinted at the possibility of a "friendly takeover" of the country, emphasizing that the US could do "something useful" for the population.
Cuba, in turn, condemned the US operation in Venezuela, noting that it threatens the stability of the region.
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