Cuba says willing to talk to US, ‘without pressure’

HAVANA – Cuba is prepared to hold dialogue with the United States but not under pressure, President Miguel Diaz-Canel insisted Thursday after months of threats from US President Donald Trump.

Trump has vowed to cut off Cuba’s access to oil and stated the communist island was “ready to fall” as he warned it to “make a deal” with Washington “BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

The Republican did not say what kind of a deal he was after, but has repeatedly stated the two countries were in negotiations, which Havana has denied

“Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, a dialogue on any topic… but without pressure or preconditions,” Diaz-Canel said on state TV and radio.

He said any talks must take place “from a position of equals, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence and our self-determination” and without “interference in our internal affairs.

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban immigrants, have made no secret of their desire to bring about regime change in Havana

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday: “I think the fact that the Cuban government is on its last leg and its country is about to collapse, they should be wise in their statements directed towards the president of the United States.”