Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has acknowledged that recent talks between officials from Havana and Washington have been influenced by 'international factors', although he did not specify the topics discussed. This announcement came shortly after Cuba revealed it would release 51 political prisoners, a gesture described by the Cuban Foreign Ministry as one of 'goodwill'. Notably, the announcement did not mention the involvement of the United States, which has been applying pressure on the Cuban government, particularly through sanctions and the cessation of oil supplies under the Trump administration.

In his address, Diaz-Canel also highlighted significant challenges faced by the country, revealing that Cuba has not received fuel for three months and has been experiencing widespread energy supply disruptions. This lack of fuel is symptomatic of the broader economic difficulties that the country is currently grappling with, which have been exacerbated by the pressure from the United States amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The Miami Herald previously reported on communications between U.S. government representatives and Cuban officials, indicating a possible thaw in relations. The announcement of the political prisoners' release could be seen as a strategic move by the Cuban government to facilitate dialogue and possibly improve relations with the U.S., despite the absence of direct mentions of American involvement in the release decision. This situation underscores the complexity of U.S.-Cuba relations and raises questions about the potential for future negotiations.