Cuban President Says He's Open To Conversation About 'How The U.S. Can Participate In The Economy'

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said he's open to having conversations about "how the U.S. can participate" in the island's economy, but as long as Washington D.C. doesn't question its "sovereignty" or "political system."

Speaking to Spanish media outlet Canal Red, Diaz-Canel again confirmed conversations between the countries are taking place and said there are "thousands of topics that can be discussed with the U.S., including investment, migratory flows and environmental protection.

Different reports have noted that the Trump administration is not seeking forceful regime change in the country, but rather a model resembling what has taken place in Venezuela since the beginning of the year, where the administration captured Nicolas Maduro and installed then-Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who has taken a friendly approach towards the administration.

"Regime change is lined up," a Trump official told The Atlantic this week, with conversations revolving around whether rich Republican donors with Cuban heritage could play a role in an eventual transition.

Officials added that a projected outcome would see President Donald Trump declare victory and create conditions for the U.S. to do business in the island while avoiding conflict with the current regime, a scenario that could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis currently taking place.

In fact, U.S. suppliers have shipped tens of thousands of barrels of oil to Cuba's private sector, according to another report.

Reuters detailed that some 30,000 barrels of fuel have made their way to the island while the Trump administration continues to prevent the regime from getting fuel, pushing the public sector to the brink of collapse.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that authorizing the mentioned exports is part of a policy "entirely designed to put the private sector and individual private Cubans – not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military, in a privileged position." While the figure is small, volumes are growing by the week, the outlet added.