Cuba has confirmed that officials from Havana and Washington recently held talks on the island, amid heightened tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump.

A meeting between delegations from the two countries recently took place in Cuba, Alejandro García del Toro, the Cuban Foreign Ministry official responsible for U.S. affairs, told the newspaper Granma in remarks published on Monday.

Del Toro did not give details of the talks, saying the issue was “sensitive.”

However, he said no deadlines had been set, and no threats had been made.

The exchange took place “in a respectful and professional manner,” he said.

Deputy foreign ministers from both sides are reported to have taken part in the meeting.

U.S. media had previously reported the meeting, citing Trump administration officials.

According to the news portal Axios, the two sides met in Havana on April 10.

A grandson of 94-year-old Cuban revolutionary leader Raúl Castro was reportedly present.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as ‘Raulito or the Crab’, is considered his grandfather’s closest confidant.

Mr Trump has threatened on several occasions to take tougher action against Cuba, and has spoken openly about the possibility of “taking” the island.

Washington’s policy aims to push for economic and political reforms on the Caribbean island, which is ruled by the Communist Party.

For Havana, lifting the U.S. oil blockade imposed on the island in January is the top priority.

The oil shortage has further deepened Cuba’s years-long economic crisis. 

(dpa/NAN)