The United States has reportedly demanded that Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel step down as a condition for meaningful progress in bilateral negotiations, according to people familiar with the talks.

The demand was communicated during ongoing discussions between the two countries, though the specific timing and context of when this position was conveyed remains unclear. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not provide details about Cuba's response to the U.S. position.

Díaz-Canel assumed the presidency of Cuba in 2018, succeeding Raúl Castro and becoming the first leader born after the Cuban Revolution to hold the office. His leadership has coincided with a period of economic challenges for the island nation, including shortages of basic goods and ongoing tensions with the United States.

The reported U.S. demand represents a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure on the Cuban government. Such a condition would mark an unusually direct intervention in Cuba's internal political affairs, going beyond traditional economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation tactics.

Neither the U.S. State Department nor Cuban government officials immediately responded to requests for comment about the reported negotiations or the alleged demand for leadership change. The talks and their specific objectives have not been publicly disclosed by either government.