Cuba rejects US regime change demands amid economic blockade

Cuba’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, has stated that the nation will not alter its political system to secure an end to the United States blockade. Speaking ahead of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, Méndez rejected reports that Washington offered energy sector assistance contingent upon regime change. He emphasized that while Cuba is open to dialogue with the US based on equality and mutual benefit, it will not accept demands for political restructuring.

Méndez noted that Cuba is currently implementing internal economic reforms, including increased private sector participation and foreign investment, but clarified these are driven by domestic necessity rather than external pressure.

As a new partner country in the BRICS grouping, Cuba intends to use the summit to foster cooperation with the Global South and highlight the economic difficulties caused by the blockade, which continue to impact food, water, and energy supplies.