In response to a question from Prensa Latina, the also secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba stressed that there have been many speculations about this process and it has been a practice of the Revolution not to respond to these campaigns.

He clarified that this is a very sensitive process, which is carried out with the discretion and responsibility it requires at any time, because it concerns the ties between Cuba and the United States.

The Cuban president said that these exchanges require a tenacious effort to make progress in solutions, which is why it is necessary to find spaces of understanding that allow us to move forward in the process and “get away from confrontation.”

He explained that the recent talks are taking place in accordance with the consistent policy that has always characterized the Revolution, under the leadership of Army General Raul Castro, as historical leader, his own, and have been analyzed with the main authorities of the Party, the Cuban government and state.

He pointed out that these exchanges have been favored by international actors, which, he clarified, is not the first time this happens, and recalled the process of dialogue led by then-President Raul Castro with his US counterpart Barack Obama, which led to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Diaz-Canel pointed out that the talks are aimed at defining what bilateral problems are and ways to solve them, as well as determining whether there is a will on both sides to take action for the benefit of both nations.

He also added that this involves finding areas of cooperation through which threats can be faced and ensuring security and peace in the two countries and in the region.

“In these exchanges we have expressed our willingness to continue the process under the principles of equality and respect for the political systems of both countries, sovereignty and self-determination, also taking the criterion of reciprocity in accordance with international law,” he said.

The press conference was attended by senior officials of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban government and state, as well as representatives of different media.

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