Rubio Accused of Blocking Cuba Talks as Trump Claims Negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States is engaged in high-level negotiations with Cuba, but multiple Cuban and American officials say such talks do not exist, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump told reporters on Feb. 1 that Washington was speaking with “the highest people in Cuba” and that he believed a deal could be reached. Cuban officials, however, have denied that any formal dialogue with senior U.S. officials is taking place.

According to a report by Drop Site News, five Cuban and U.S. officials said Trump’s statements were based on false information provided internally, alleging that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told the president negotiations are underway when they are not.

Sources cited by Drop Site said the alleged strategy would allow Rubio to later claim diplomacy had failed, reinforcing pressure-based policies toward Havana. The State Department has maintained that talks are occurring but has provided no details on participants, timing or location.

Official Positions From Havana

Cuban leaders have repeatedly said they are willing to engage in talks with the United States. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba is open to dialogue on issues including human rights, democracy, tourism and foreign investment, provided discussions take place without coercion and with respect for Cuban sovereignty.

Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said contacts with Washington have been limited to technical matters, such as coordination over migrant repatriation flights, and do not constitute substantive negotiations.

Conflicting Media Reports

Recent media reports suggesting secret talks in Mexico involving Cuban officials have been dismissed by Cuban authorities. Cuban officials said no negotiations are taking place in Mexico or elsewhere and described the reports as based on unverified information.

A senior U.S. official told the New York Times that recent contacts with Cuba were “not substantive” and focused narrowly on migration logistics.

Economic Pressure Intensifies

The dispute unfolds amid worsening economic conditions in Cuba following a U.S. executive order threatening tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island. Mexico’s state oil company has reportedly halted at least one shipment to Cuba, leaving the country with limited fuel reserves.

Cuban authorities have announced nationwide energy rationing measures, including reduced transportation services and limits on fuel distribution, as the power grid faces severe strain.

Political Context in Washington

Sources cited by Drop Site said Rubio, a longtime advocate of regime change in Cuba, faces political constraints tied to his support base in Florida. Any move toward normalising relations with Havana could trigger backlash among Cuban-American voters.

Cuba has reiterated its willingness to broaden cooperation with the United States on shared issues such as migration, drug trafficking and health research, while insisting that sovereignty is not negotiable.