A top official in the Cuban government has denied “categorically” that Havana is negotiating with the United States over the fate of its president, Miguel Diaz-Canel.On Friday, Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio told a news conference that shake-ups in the government were not up for discussion.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“The political system of Cuba is not up for negotiation, and of course neither the president nor the position of any official in Cuba is subject to negotiation with the United States,” Fernandez de Cossio said.His remarks were a firm repudiation of reports that the administration of United States President Donald Trump was seeking the removal of Diaz-Canel.The New York Times reported earlier this week that, while Trump is pushing for Diaz-Canel’s ouster, he is not seeking the dismantlement of other parts of the Cuban government.The plan would be similar to what Trump implemented in Venezuela after his January 3 attack to abduct and imprison Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. That manoeuvre left intact the rest of Maduro’s government.Critics point out, however, that carrying out such a plan in Cuba would leave the family of longtime leader Fidel Castro in positions of power — and it would stop short of dismantling a government long accused of violent repression against its people.Diaz-Canel is the first president in Cuba not to be a part of the Castro family since 19 …
