Cuba Denies Reports of Talks with US on Venezuela's Future Without Maduro

Cuba Rejects 'Absurd and False' Reports

Havana, Cuba – Cuba has strongly denied recent media reports suggesting that it reached out to the United States to discuss the future of Venezuela without its current President, Nicolas Maduro. On Monday, December 8, 2025, Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal dismissed the claims as 'absurd and false'.

The reports, initially published by Reuters on Friday, December 5, 2025, cited unnamed sources alleging that Havana had initiated discussions with Washington concerning a potential transition in Venezuela. However, Vidal, speaking to the Associated Press (AP), firmly stated that no such discussions had taken place. She emphasized that matters concerning Venezuela's internal affairs are solely the responsibility of the Venezuelan government.

Context of Heightened Regional Tensions

The Cuban denial unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the United States and both Cuba and Venezuela. The Trump administration has intensified its pressure on the region, particularly through increased military presence and operations in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Recent months have seen the US launch missile strikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, with Washington accusing President Maduro of profiting from such activities. Cuban officials have been vocal in their criticism of these actions, viewing them as part of a broader strategy by the US to destabilize the region and achieve regime change in Venezuela. Vidal accused 'warlike sectors' in the United States of orchestrating a smear campaign designed to create discord between Cuba and Venezuela and to provide a pretext for US aggression in the region.

Cuba's Unwavering Support for Venezuela

Cuba has consistently maintained a strong alliance with Venezuela, particularly since the presidency of Hugo Chávez. This relationship involves significant economic and political ties, including Venezuela providing oil to Cuba in exchange for services such as medical personnel and military advisors. Both nations frequently present a united front against what they perceive as US interventionism in Latin America.

Cuban officials, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and President Miguel Díaz-Canel, have repeatedly condemned US military threats and interference against Venezuela, asserting that the true objective is to seize Venezuela's vast oil and natural resources. They have also rejected attempts to tarnish Cuba's record in fighting for peace and against drug trafficking in the region.

Official Statements and Future Outlook

While Cuba's Vice Foreign Minister Vidal firmly rejected the reports of secret talks, a US State Department spokesperson, as cited in media, accused both Cuba and Venezuela of destabilizing the hemisphere. The spokesperson reiterated the Trump administration's commitment to protecting Americans from 'hostile regimes' and its aggressive counternarcotics campaign.

The denial from Havana underscores the deep-seated distrust and ongoing geopolitical struggle between the US and its adversaries in Latin America, with Venezuela remaining a central point of contention. Cuba's steadfast support for the Maduro government signals a continuation of its policy amidst persistent regional pressures.