Cuba’s government denies accusations that it poses a threat to U.S. security and insists it stands ready to cooperate with Washington.

Cuba’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Monday calling for dialogue and stressing that the Caribbean island does not support “terrorism.” The statement comes as tensions rise following the kidnapping of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro Last month, it was part of President Donald Trump’s drive For American domination of the Western Hemisphere.

“The Cuban people and the American people benefit from constructive engagement, legitimate cooperation and peaceful coexistence,” the Havana statement said.

“Cuba reaffirms its readiness to maintain a respectful and reciprocal dialogue with the U.S. government based on common interests and international law in order to achieve tangible results.”

Hours after Trump’s statement, he said diplomatic contacts with Cuba had resumed and noted that his administration was talking to “the highest levels” of the Cuban government.

“Cuba has been a failed state for a long time. But now it doesn’t have the support of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters late Sunday.

Venezuela is Cuba’s largest energy supplier, but since The US military was overthrown Maduro, oil supplies to the island have all but stopped.

The United States has also been intercepting and seizing Venezuelan oil tanker In the Caribbean – critics say the move amounts to piracy.

In addition to oil supplies, Cuba has close economic and security ties with the Maduro government. nearly 50 cuban soldier Killed during kidnapping of Venezuelan leader.

The Trump administration has also been pressuring Mexico to stop supplying oil to Cuba. A total energy blockade could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis in the country.

“Malicious Actor”

Washington and Havana have had a hostile relationship since the late President Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 after the communist revolution ousted U.S.-backed authoritarian leader Fulgencio Batista.

In 2021, Trump labeled Cuba a “state sponsor of terrorism” during his first term.

Last week, the White House issued a memo calling the Cuban government an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States.

The document accuses Havana of aligning with “malign actors” including China and Russia. Although the United States itself is also seeking to improve relations with Moscow and Beijing. Recently published U.S. defense strategy downplayed the security threat posed by the two men.

“The Cuban regime continues to spread its communist ideology, policies, and practices throughout the Western Hemisphere and threatens U.S. foreign policy,” the White House memo said.

On Monday, the Cuban government denied the accusations, stressing that it had no foreign military or intelligence bases.

“Cuba unequivocally states that it does not harbor, support, finance or permit terrorist or extremist organizations,” the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Our country adopts a zero-tolerance policy against the financing of terrorism and money laundering and is committed to preventing, detecting and combating illegal financial activities in accordance with international standards.”

The statement represents a softening of the government’s tone in america This has long represented contempt for the United States.

Despite the public push by the United States to control Venezuela huge oil industryTrump said his first request for Cuba involves the treatment of Cuban Americans – a large Republican constituency in Florida.

“A lot of people living in our country have been treated very badly by Cuba,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.

“They all voted for me and we want them to be treated well. We want to be able to get them back home to their country, their family and their country that they haven’t seen in many, many years.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is of Cuban origin and a former Florida senator. promote a tough stance to Latin America.

on Sunday, Pope Leo said he was disturbed by the escalating tensions between the United States and Cuba.

“I echo the message of the Cuban bishops and invite all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue in order to avoid violence and all actions that could increase the suffering of the dear Cuban people,” the pope said in a social media post.