"There is no need to emphasize what Cuba has always said: we do not fear dialogue with the United States.  Nor do we need the confrontation to exist as some foolish people think: we exist precisely because we believe in our ideas and we have never feared dialogue with the adversary.  It is the only way to secure friendship and peace among peoples."

“The conditions exist for Obama to use his talents in a constructive policy that could put an end to the one that has failed for almost half a century. On the other hand, our country, which has resisted and is willing to resist whatever it takes, neither blames Obama for the atrocities of other U.S. administrations nor doubts his sincerity and his wishes to change the United States policy and image. We understand that he waged a very difficult battle to be elected, despite centuries-old prejudices”.

"Cuba has resisted and it will continue to resist; it will never beg for alms. It will go on forward holding its head up high and cooperating with the fraternal peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean; with or without Summits of the Americas; whether or not the president of the United States is Obama, a man or a woman, a black or a white citizen."

"Even though it hurts our modesty, it is a bitter duty to say that our blockaded, threatened and slandered country has shown that Latin American peoples can live without either violence or drugs.  It can even live, and that’s what has happened for more than half a century, without relations with the United States.  That is something we haven’t shown; they have. "