HAVANA — Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced on Thursday that he is willing to have talks with the United States.

Diaz-Canel, 65, stood before a mural of a young Fidel Castro in military fatigues when he announced it during a televised address.

“We are not a threat to the United States,” Diaz-Canel said in Spanish.

The mural also had a quote -- “A cloud of ideas is a thing no armored prow can smash though” -- from the 1891 “Our America” by the Cuban poet José Martí.

“Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, a dialogue on any topic,” Diaz-Canel said.

In what appeared to be a response to President Donald Trump’s pressure, Diaz-Canal set conditions about the nature of his willingness, which he said did not include agreeing to pre-set conditions.

“From a position of equals, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our self-determination,” and without “interference in our internal affairs,” Diaz-Canel said.

Watch his address in “en español”

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