HAVANA, March 13 – In an uncommon move, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel plans to speak with domestic journalists Friday morning as his country grapples with mounting economic difficulties and heightened tensions with the Trump administration.
Cuban officials announced Thursday evening that Diaz-Canel will hold the media session at 7:30 a.m. EDT to discuss matters of national and international significance. While such presidential media encounters are unusual in Cuba, international journalists were not extended invitations, and any questions posed will likely come from pre-selected Cuban reporters.
Officials described Friday’s session as building upon Diaz-Canel’s February 5 remarks, during which he cautioned that Cuba might need to implement drastic measures due to ongoing economic hardships, widespread electrical outages, and fuel scarcities worsened by Trump’s petroleum embargo against the island nation.
During that earlier appearance, Diaz-Canel also expressed Cuba’s openness to diplomatic dialogue with Washington, provided Cuba receives respectful treatment without threats or predetermined conditions.
The Cuban leader may respond to Trump’s repeated claims that high-level negotiations between American and Cuban officials are already taking place. While Cuban authorities have rejected assertions of formal diplomatic meetings, they haven’t categorically dismissed reports suggesting informal communications channels exist.
Following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the removal of Cuba’s primary international supporter in January, Trump has blocked Venezuelan petroleum deliveries to Cuba and warned of potential tariffs against nations selling oil to the Caribbean island.
Trump has recently made several public statements suggesting Cuba faces imminent collapse or seeks an agreement with America. This Monday, he mentioned Cuba might experience a “friendly takeover,” before adding the caveat that “it may not be a friendly takeover.”
