South Florida Congressman Rejects Negotiations with Cuban Regime

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart says economic pressure alone won't force political change in Cuba

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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As Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis with widespread blackouts, U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart of South Florida rejected the idea of negotiations with the Cuban government, saying "No fuel, no negotiations, no concessions for the Havana regime." Díaz-Balart said the current U.S. administration is taking steps to push for regime change in Cuba, and that the leadership in Havana should take the warnings from the White House seriously.

Why it matters

The comments highlight the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with the U.S. government maintaining a hardline stance against the Cuban regime and refusing to consider any negotiations that would allow the current leadership to remain in power. This comes as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis that has led to widespread blackouts and growing public unrest.

The details

Díaz-Balart said the U.S. government remains focused on achieving regime change in Havana while rejecting negotiations that would allow the current leadership to remain in power. He criticized a recent media report suggesting that conversations between the U.S. and Cuba could focus on economic reforms rather than regime change, saying "That article is not accurate." The congressman also pushed back on the idea of the U.N. being involved in discussions about allowing limited fuel shipments to Cuba for humanitarian purposes, saying "The United Nations, as always, once again, doesn't seem to understand the difference between right and wrong, good and evil."

  • In the last 24 hours, videos have circulated on social media showing residents in Havana and other Cuban cities banging pots and pans in protest, a traditional form of public dissent known as a "cacerolazo."
  • Reports emerged on Wednesday that the United Nations has been involved in discussions with Washington about allowing limited fuel shipments to Cuba for humanitarian purposes, including the operation of hospitals.

The players

Mario Díaz-Balart

A U.S. Representative from South Florida who has taken a hardline stance against the Cuban regime and rejected the idea of negotiations with the current leadership.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who Díaz-Balart says has taken steps to push for political change in Cuba.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State who Díaz-Balart says has also stated that the Cuban regime is "not an acceptable option for this hemisphere."

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What they’re saying

“No fuel, no negotiations, no concessions for the Havana regime.”

— Mario Díaz-Balart, U.S. Representative (CBS News Miami)

“The United Nations, as always, once again, doesn't seem to understand the difference between right and wrong, good and evil.”

— Mario Díaz-Balart, U.S. Representative (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, with the U.S. government maintaining a hardline stance against the Cuban regime and refusing to consider any negotiations that would allow the current leadership to remain in power, even as Cuba faces a deepening energy crisis that has led to widespread blackouts and growing public unrest.