Cuba acknowledges contacts with United States but denies formal negotiations

Lianys Torres Rivera said the Cuban government maintains communication channels with the United States but that those contacts do not constitute formal negotiations. The chargé d'affaires at the Cuban Embassy in Washington made the statement in an interview with Reuters on Monday.

Torres said recent contacts included meetings, telephone calls and WhatsApp messages. She said, however, that no negotiating agenda or resumption of official talks had developed. She did not provide dates, details of the issues discussed or the names of participants.

The diplomat said Cuba is willing to maintain respectful dialogue with Washington, while arguing that Cuba's political system is not subject to negotiation. She also said the island was preparing for possible U.S. military action and had increased its capabilities, according to her statements.