Cuban president says Raul Castro involved in US talks amid oil blockade

Al Jazeera
March 26, 2026
3 min read

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Cuba disclosed that former leader Raúl Castro is involved in ongoing talks with the United States regarding an oil blockade.

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Cuba's president stated that Raul Castro is involved in ongoing talks with the United States, signaling the former leader's continued role in diplomatic matters. The disclosure comes as tensions escalate following Trump's recent comments expressing willingness to take over Cuba, a controversial statement that has intensified US-Cuba relations. Castro's participation in negotiations suggests Cuba is mobilizing senior leadership to address the deteriorating situation with Washington. The talks are occurring against the backdrop of an oil blockade affecting the island nation, adding economic pressure to the diplomatic standoff. The involvement of the former president indicates Havana views current negotiations as significant enough to require input from its most senior political figures.

What's Being Done

Cuba is conducting diplomatic negotiations with the United States involving senior leadership, amid economic pressure from an oil blockade and Trump administration statements about taking over Cuba.

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