The Cuban government has engaged in talks with the United States, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed in a TV broadcast on March 13. Separately, Cuba announced the release of 51 political prisoners.

Diaz-Canel said the talks aimed to find solutions to bilateral differences through dialogue. On March 2, he said that Cuba should "immediately" focus on implementing urgent transformations to its economic and social model. On Feb. 5, he stated that his government was willing to negotiate with the United States as long as talks were respectful and had no preconditions. On Jan. 29, the U.S. government declared a national emergency over Cuba, citing threats to national security. In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly said that the island was on the brink of collapse, hinted at a U.S. takeover and said that Washington would focus on the island after the conflict in Iran is finished. Media reports have indicated for months that U.S. diplomats have been engaged in discussions with members of the Castro family.