Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel firmly announced on Monday that his government is not engaging in any negotiations with the United States, despite President Donald Trump’s threats to force a deal due to the cessation of Venezuelan oil deliveries to Cuba.

“There are no discussions underway with the U.S. government, except for technical dialogues concerning migration,” Díaz-Canel stated in a post on X.

Díaz-Canel went on to criticize the U.S. for exerting what he described as aggressive pressure on Cuba. He emphasized that any potential negotiations must align with international law.

“As history shows, for U.S.-Cuba relations to progress, they must be rooted in International Law, not in hostility, threats, or economic pressure,” he asserted.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel is seen during the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Peter Dejong/AP)

“We have always been willing to engage in a serious and responsible dialogue with the various governments of the United States, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International Law, reciprocal benefit without interference in internal affairs and with full respect for our independence,” Canel added. 

On Sunday, Trump declared that Cuba would no longer receive oil or money from Venezuela, a move that would sever Havana’s longtime energy and financial lifeline. 

The announcement came after a stunning Jan. 3 operation in Venezuela, in which American forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and reportedly killed at least 32 Cuban personnel.

President Donald Trump (left) led a military operation on Jan. 3 that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro (right). (Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Gaby Oraa/Getty Images)

“THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,” he warned.

Cuba has long depended on imported oil to keep its aging power grid running. Before the U.S. attack on Venezuela, Havana was receiving 35,000 barrels a day from Venezuela, roughly 7,500 from Russia and some 5,500 barrels daily from Mexico, The Associated Press reported, citing Jorge Piñón of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, who tracks the shipments.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela.  (Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo)

Even with Venezuelan oil imports, Cuba has suffered widespread blackouts in recent years due to persistent fuel shortages, an aging and crumbling electric grid and damage from hurricanes that have battered the island’s infrastructure.  

Now, with U.S. sanctions tightening on both Russian and Venezuelan oil, blackouts could worsen as Havana’s leaders reject Trump’s call to strike a deal.