The political system of Cuba is not on the table in any dialogue with the U.S.: Juan Carlos Marsan

Cuba is facing its most severe economic crisis in a long time. U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, emboldened by its military intervention and abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January, have imposed a de facto naval blockade on the island — interdicting oil tankers and threatening tariffs on any country that sells fuel to Cuba. For three months, no energy shipments have entered the country, barring one recently. The electricity grid has collapsed repeatedly, schools have been shut, flights have been cancelled, and millions of Cubans have endured prolonged blackouts. Donald Trump has spoken openly of “taking Cuba” and having a “friendly takeover,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for regime change. Negotiations between the two governments are underway, but Cuba’s leadership has said that its political system is not up for negotiation. We discussed these developments with Cuba’s Ambassador to India, Juan Carlos Marsan.