“It is a sensitive matter that, as we have said, we’re handling with discretion. I can confirm that a meeting between delegations from Cuba and the United States was recently held here (Havana).
The US side was represented by Assistant Secretaries of State, and the Cuban side by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Garcia del Toro stated.
The official affirmed that during the meeting, neither side set deadlines or made any threatening statements, as has been reported by US media outlets. “The entire exchange took place in a respectful and professional manner,” he emphasized.
“Eliminating the energy embargo against the country was a top priority for our delegation.
This act of economic coercion is an unjustified punishment of the entire Cuban population. It is also blackmailing on a global scale against sovereign states that have every right to export fuel to Cuba, under the principles of free trade,” he added.
The talks are taking place against the backdrop of an economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States on the Caribbean island for more than six decades, which has been intensified by an oil embargo that prevents the country from accessing fuel.
jdt/oda/bbb
