Cuba president says willing to talk to US, but ‘without pressure’

HAVANA: Cuba is prepared to hold dialogue with the United States but not under pressure, President Miguel Diaz-Canel insisted Thursday after months of threats from US President Donald Trump.

“Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, a dialogue on any topic... but without pressure or preconditions,” Diaz-Canel said in an address to the nation on state TV and radio.

He added that any talks must take place “from a position of equals, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our self-determination” and without “interference in our internal affairs.”

Trump has made repeated threats against communist-run Cuba in recent months, vowing to cut off its access to oil and stating the island was “ready to fall.”

Cuba, in the grips of an economic crisis, has long relied on oil supplies from Venezuela, whose leader was ousted in a deadly US military operation last month.