Secret talks between a key U.S. Senator and a grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro are underway as the Biden administration increases pressure on the island nation, according to a report Wednesday. The discussions, revealed by Axios and confirmed by three anonymous sources, come as the U.S. Seeks to influence political and economic change in Cuba.
President Donald Trump previously characterized Cuba as a “nation in bankruptcy” and called for Havana to reach an agreement with the United States. However, Trump dismissed the possibility of a U.S. Operation to overthrow the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican born in the U.S. To Cuban parents, has been in contact with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro outside of any official government capacity, Axios reported. This development adds a latest layer to the complex relationship between Washington and Havana.
Earlier in February, Trump stated that the United States was holding conversations with Cuba “at the highest level,” but the U.S. Government has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of those discussions and with whom they are taking place.
Neither the State Department nor the Cuban embassy in Washington offered comment on the Axios report. The lack of official statements underscores the sensitivity surrounding these backchannel communications.
In January, Washington imposed an oil blockade against Cuba, building on its success in disrupting Venezuelan crude exports, which prompted negotiations with Caracas. Cuba protested the blockade but subsequently indicated a willingness to negotiate.
Central Figure Remains Influential
Cuba is currently facing a severe fuel shortage, resulting in frequent power outages. These economic hardships are compounded by a decades-long U.S. Trade embargo.
While Raúl Castro, 94, has officially stepped down from decision-making roles, he remains a central figure in Cuban power structures and retains the loyalty of the armed forces. He succeeded his brother Fidel in 2006, initiating unprecedented reforms without relinquishing power or holding elections.
In the mid-2010s, Castro briefly pursued a rapprochement with the United States, but it did not lead to lasting political change. The ongoing dialogue suggests a continued, if cautious, effort to locate common ground.
“Cuba is collapsing, and that’s why we believe the best thing for them is to make dramatic changes very soon. We’ll see what they decide,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. The statement reflects the administration’s growing impatience with the situation in Cuba and its desire for a swift resolution.
mg (afp, Axios)
