This story is free to read.

Fidel Castro writes statement on shift in Cuba-US relations

FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2014 file photo, a photograph of Fidel Castro hangs under the Spanish word "Welcome" on the wall at a state-run food market in Havana, Cuba. On Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, after more than a month of silence, Castro made his first public comments about the news that the U.S. and his island nation will restore diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File) FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2014 file photo, a photograph of Fidel Castro hangs under the Spanish word "Welcome" on the wall at a state-run food market in Havana, Cuba. On Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, after more than a month of silence, Castro made his first public comments about the news that the U.S. and his island nation will restore diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File)

By Associated Press January 26, 2015 1 min read

HAVANA, Cuba (AP) – Former President Fidel Castro has ended his silence over the Dec. 17 declaration that Cuba and the United States would move to restore full diplomatic relations, writing that though he does not trust Washington’s politics, differences between the nations should be resolved through cooperation.

Castro made the comments in a statement sent to a student federation and read Monday at the University of Havana.

Castro wrote: “I don’t trust the politics of the United States, nor have I exchanged a word with them, but this does not mean I reject a pacific solution to the conflicts.”

He said he will always defend cooperation and friendship among the world’s peoples, including Cuba’s adversaries.

They are the first comments the 88-year-old has made on the negotiations launched by his brother, Raul Castro.