Cuba says no negotiations with US despite ‘genocidal’ blockade

Cuba's government released its latest assessment of economic damage from the longstanding US embargo, claiming losses of $8 billion during the past year—the highest figure recorded to date and representing a seven percent jump from the previous reporting period. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced these findings at a media briefing while reaffirming that his country is not currently in negotiations with the United States and has no scheduled talks planned.

Rodríguez painted a stark picture of the humanitarian toll, describing an energy crisis that has left ordinary Cubans with minimal electricity access, often limited to just a few hours daily. He detailed cascading consequences including food spoilage, families struggling through heat without cooling, children attempting homework without light, and youth cut off from internet connectivity. The minister characterized these conditions as systemic "collective punishment" stemming from what he termed an "energy siege" and "extreme tightening" of US economic pressure.

The Cuban government's $8 billion damage estimate does not account for some of Washington's most recent enforcement measures, particularly energy supply restrictions imposed in January and secondary sanctions introduced in May. Rodríguez framed the entire embargo framework as an act of "economic asphyxiation," arguing that the policy constitutes a "genocidal" approach rather than a legitimate foreign policy tool.

Tensions between the two nations have intensified under the Trump administration, though earlier diplomatic contacts occurred before those discussions halted. Cuba anticipates that its longstanding effort to challenge the embargo will continue at the international level, with the UN General Assembly scheduled to consider its annual resolution calling for an end to the blockade on October 27 and 28. Rodríguez alleged that the US is exerting "extraordinary pressure and intimidation" on other UN member states ahead of the vote while expressing confidence that Cuba will receive substantial international support for lifting the embargo.