HAVANA — The Cuban government confirmed it held high-level talks in Havana with officials from the United States, with Cuba pressing to end the U.S. oil blockade. The U.S. delegation included assistant secretaries of state, while the Cuban side was represented at the level of deputy foreign minister.

Alejandro Garcia del Toro, deputy director general in charge of U.S. affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said ending the U.S. oil blockade was a top priority for Cuba in the discussions. "This act of economic coercion is an unjustified punishment for the entire Cuban population," Garcia del Toro said. "It is also a form of global blackmail against sovereign states, which have every right to export fuel to Cuba, in accordance with the principles of free trade."

The United States has blocked nearly all oil shipments into Cuba. Garcia del Toro accused Washington of blackmail for threatening countries that export oil to Cuba with tariffs.

U.S. proposals presented in the talks included allowing Starlink internet terminals into Cuba and providing compensation for Americans and U.S. corporations for assets confiscated by Cuba after the 1959 revolution.

President Trump has warned of tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba and has hinted at military intervention. On April 13, Trump said, "We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this." He also said, "All my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba: when will the United States do it? I do believe I'll be the honor, having the honor of taking Cuba." In separate remarks, he said, "Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it."

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Cuba was prepared to fight if the United States carried through on its threats. Cuba's energy and economic crisis, compounded by U.S. economic sanctions, has left the country dependent on foreign assistance and oil shipments from allied countries, including Mexico and Russia.

Nearly a fifth of the Cuban population has left since 2021. Cuba is located 90 miles from Florida.