CIA director met with Cuban officials in Havana, “in a context marked by complex bilateral relations”
An American delegation led by the director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, paid a visit to Havana on Thursday, May 14, where he met with high Cuban officials.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe/PHOTO: X @CIA
“Following the request submitted by the United States government to receive in Havana a delegation led by the director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, the Leadership of the Revolution approved the organization of this visit and the meeting with his counterparts from the Ministry of the Interior”the Cuban communist government announced, according to Agerpres.
Asked by AFP to confirm this extraordinary meeting, the CIA did not immediately respond.
The Cuban authorities stated that this meeting, which took place “in a context marked by complex bilateral relations”must “contributes to the political dialogue between the two nations”.
Cuba has said that talks with the US have shown that the island is not a threat to US security and that there are no legitimate reasons for keeping it on the list of states that support terrorism.
Trump considers Cuba an 'extraordinary threat'
In early May, Cuba criticized new sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump on the island, the same day they held protests at the US embassy in Havana.
The measures aim to extend sanctions on key sectors of the Cuban economy, including energy, mining, defense, financial services and security.
Also targeted are people operating in these fields, as well as officials accused of “serious violations of human rights” or corruption. Foreign banks that collaborate with the Cuban government are targeted in particular, and immigration restrictions are imposed.
Trump justified the decision by saying that the communist island, located about 150 km from Florida, continues to represent “an extraordinary threat” for US national security.
He again suggested the possibility of military intervention, including the scenario of a naval show of force near Cuba, possibly on the way back from the Middle East after the end of the war with Iran.
