A group of senior State Department officials flew to Cuba on a U. S. government plane last week, according to a department source and two other U. S. officials speaking to CBS News. This marks a diplomatic effort as the island faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration.
During their time in Cuba, one American diplomat met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former President Raúl Castro, who is considered a significant figure within the Cuban government, the State Department official said.
Details about who else took part in the discussions from either side remain unclear.
Axios first reported on this visit, which is notable as it’s the first instance of a U. S. government plane landing in Cuba since former President Barack Obama visited in 2016.
In their meetings, the U. S. delegation talked about the Trump administration’s call for political and economic reforms and reiterated demands for the release of political prisoners, according to the State Department official. The Americans also proposed giving Cuba access to Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by Elon Musk’s Space X.
“The delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is in free fall and that the island’s ruling elites have a small window to make key U. S.-backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly worsen,” the official told CBS News.
The official added that President Trump is open to addressing concerns through diplomatic means but “will not let the island collapse into a major national security threat if Cuba’s leaders are unwilling or unable to act.”
Cuba is currently facing an energy crisis that has lasted several months due to Mr. Trump’s warning of heavy tariffs on any country exporting oil to Cuba. As a result, oil shipments have largely ceased; however, last month, the U. S. permitted a Russian-flagged tanker to dock in Havana for what was described by officials as a humanitarian measure.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has repeatedly suggested military intervention in Cuba. Last month he labeled it as a “failing country” and hinted it could “be next,” following actions taken against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and tensions with Iran.
Earlier this week, he told reporters-without further details-that “we may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this.” On Friday, he mentioned wanting “to bring about a day 70 years in waiting – it’s called a new dawn for Cuba,” likely referring to Fidel Castro’s revolution that established communism around 67 years ago.
Both countries acknowledge that discussions are happening; however, it remains uncertain how close they are to reaching an agreement. Earlier this year, Cuba announced plans to ease some restrictions on foreign investments-a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio deemed inadequate.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed Mr. Trump’s statements during a rally Thursday and asserted that his nation will “be ready” for any potential U. S. military action.
“We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it,” Díaz-Canel stated.
Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.
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