Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel affirmed today that Cuba remains open to dialogue with the United States, based on respect for its sovereignty, independence, and self-determination.

He noted that his government is willing to discuss any topic, without pressure or preconditions, to build a civilized relationship between neighbors, which would benefit the people of both nations.

"We Cubans do not hate the American people; we recognize the values of their history and culture," the Cuban head of state added at a press conference broadcast today on national television.

"When we have had the opportunity to create spaces for dialogue between our peoples in different sectors—scientific, sports, religious, cultural, health, and even political—we have found that there are many things we can work on together, without prejudice, that can contribute greatly," he stated.

"How much we deprive both our peoples of because of this decadent, arrogant, and criminal policy of blockade, which is only intensifying," he reflected.

"That is our position; it’s also a position of continuity, and I believe it’s possible," the president concluded.