Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirms talks with the U.S.

Cuba's president said the conversations are focused on "finding solutions to bilateral differences" as the country grapples with a lack of fuel following the U.S. raid in Venezuela.

HAVANA — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed talks between the United States and Cuba during a speech Friday, the first time Havana has publicly acknowledged the meetings.

"These conversations are focused on finding solutions to bilateral differences we have between the two nations through dialogue," he said.

Díaz-Canel added there are "international factors that have facilitated these exchanges."

He said the purpose of these conversations is first to identify bilateral problems that need a solution according to their level of gravity and to “find solutions to those problems that have been identified.”

Díaz-Canel emphasized they are in the initial phase of the talks.