A U.S. delegation led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with senior Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday, according to a statement from the Cuban government. This visit comes as relations between the two countries enter a new phase of tension, linked in particular to the U.S. fuel blockade imposed on the island.
The American delegation met with representatives of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior. During the meeting, Cuban authorities stated that Cuba posed "no threat" to U.S. national security.
According to the official statement released by Havana, both sides also expressed their willingness to develop police and security cooperation in the interest of regional and international stability. This opening comes despite decades of extremely strained relations between the two countries.
Since returning to the White House, the president Donald Trump has increased pressure on the Cuban government. Washington has recently tightened restrictions on the island's energy supplies, exacerbating an already deep crisis.
The US fuel blockade has caused significant shortages in Cuba, leading to recurring power outages and protests in Havana. Economic hardship is fueling an increasingly tense social climate on the island.
Despite these tensions, Donald Trump had recently raised the possibility of dialogue between the two countries. The meeting between American and Cuban officials could therefore mark a cautious attempt to re-establish some channels of communication on issues of security and regional stability.
Community
Comments
Comments are open, but protected against spam. Initial posts and comments containing links undergo manual review.
Be the first to comment on this article.