The portal emphasized that this was the first time an American government plane landed in Cuba since the historic visit of then US President Barack Obama in 2016. According to a State Department official quoted by Axios, US representatives met, among others, the grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro.
The Americans convinced Cuban officials to introduce democratic and economic freedoms. They also offered to help restore internet access in Cuba using the Starlink satellite system, Axios reported.
During the talks, the U.S. delegation emphasized that “Cuban's economy is failing and the island's ruling elites have a small window to implement key U.S.-backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly deteriorate,” the official said.
US-Cuba talks
The Americans also repeated that in order for the trade embargo on Cuba, which has been maintained for decades, to be lifted, the island's authorities must pay compensation to American entities for nationalized goods, release political prisoners and start a democratic transformation.
The U.S. delegation also expressed concern about “foreign intelligence, military and terrorist groups operating with the connivance of the Cuban government less than 100 miles from U.S. territory,” the official said.
He noted that US President Donald Trump is seeking a “diplomatic solution whenever possible” but will not allow Cuba to become “a national security threat if Cuba's leaders are unwilling or unable to take action.”
The economic collapse and humanitarian crisis are deepening in communist-ruled Cuba. There is a shortage of fuel, food and basic goods on the island. The US administration has intensified pressure on the regime in Havana in recent months, and Trump declared that he would “do something with Cuba soon.”
