Cuba’s UN envoy accuses US of lacking good-faith in negotiations

Cuba is ready to discuss changes to its economic and political system and continue dialogue with the US, but does not believe Washington is acting in good faith, Cuba’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, told The New York Times.

Soberón Guzmán said Havana is prepared to address all issues with the United States: “Cuba is willing to talk about everything with the United States. There is no taboo subject in our conversations — on the basis of reciprocity and equality.” 

But he added that “obviously it does not help a climate of dialogue and trust that every other day there are statements like, ‘We are ready to take over Cuba,’” referring to recent comments by President Trump.

“Warmongering rhetoric does not help,” the ambassador noted. “Building different pretexts for military aggression against Cuba, which is what they are building, does not help.”

He also said Cuban authorities remain willing to demonstrate openness to peace and cooperation with the United States, despite increasing pressure from the administration of President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump has recently escalated pressure on Cuba by linking the island’s economic collapse and regional instability to US national security concerns, warning that Havana must “make a deal” with Washington or face consequences, including intensified sanctions and isolation.

In multiple public remarks and social media posts in early 2026, he suggested that Cuba is in a weakened state after the disruption of Venezuelan oil supplies, arguing that the US will no longer allow external energy or financial support to sustain the Cuban government.

Trump also framed Cuba as a strategic threat tied to broader Western Hemisphere security issues, stating that Washington is prepared to apply economic pressure and diplomatic leverage to force political and economic concessions from Havana.

At the same time, he has publicly indicated openness to talks with Cuban leadership, while simultaneously warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to further punitive actions, reinforcing a mix of negotiation signals and coercive rhetoric.

By Jeyhun Aghazada