CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials amid worsening energy shortages, growing unrest, and continued tensions between Washington and Havana.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on Thursday for meetings with Cuban officials as the island nation confronts worsening fuel shortages, widespread blackouts, and mounting economic pressure tied to deteriorating relations with the United States.
The Cuban government confirmed the visit in a public statement, describing the discussions as part of ongoing political dialogue between the two countries despite heightened tensions following new U.S. sanctions and fuel restrictions imposed earlier this year.
According to the Cuban statement, the meeting occurred “in a context marked by the complexity of bilateral relations, with the aim of contributing to the political dialogue between both nations.”
The CIA did not immediately issue a public comment regarding the visit.
Cuban officials used the occasion to reject longstanding U.S. allegations related to terrorism and foreign security threats.
The government stated that the talks “made it possible to demonstrate categorically that Cuba does not constitute a threat to U.S. national security, nor are there any legitimate reasons to include it on the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.”
The statement further asserted that Cuba “has never supported any hostile activity against the United States, nor will it permit actions against any other nation to be carried out from Cuba,” referencing accusations concerning alleged Chinese activity on the island.
Ratcliffe’s visit comes during one of the most severe energy crises Cuba has faced in decades.
Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state television that the country’s remaining oil reserves had effectively been depleted after only one Russian tanker succeeded in reaching the island following the U.S. fuel blockade implemented in January.
Describing the situation as “very tense,” the minister acknowledged that fuel shortages have reached critical levels.
The Trump administration has intensified pressure on the Cuban government since returning to office, including expanded sanctions and restrictions aimed at limiting fuel shipments and financial support to the communist government.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently renewed a proposal offering $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Cuba under the condition that aid distribution be handled through the Catholic Church rather than state institutions.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded in a post on X, arguing that the humanitarian crisis could be addressed more effectively if the United States relaxed its economic restrictions.
“The damage could be eased in a much simpler and faster way by lifting or relaxing the blockade, since it is known that the humanitarian situation is coldly calculated and induced,” Díaz-Canel said.
He added that if Washington demonstrated “true willingness” to provide humanitarian assistance, “it will encounter no obstacles or ingratitude from Cuba.”
Despite strained relations, diplomatic engagement between the two governments has continued.
A high-level meeting between U.S. and Cuban officials took place in Havana on April 10, marking the first time a U.S. government aircraft had landed in the Cuban capital since 2016.
Meanwhile, the country’s power grid continues to experience major failures.
Eastern Cuba suffered another large-scale outage Thursday, with electricity only partially restored later in the day. According to data compiled by AFP, approximately 65% of Cuban territory experienced simultaneous blackouts earlier this week due to severe generation shortfalls.
The outages have triggered scattered protests in Havana and other regions.
Residents in several neighborhoods reportedly banged pots and pans during demonstrations demanding restoration of electrical service.
“Turn on the lights!” residents shouted during protests in Playa, a district in western Havana, according to accounts gathered by AFP.
One resident of San Miguel del Padrón, on the outskirts of Havana, told AFP that demonstrations had occurred Wednesday evening in response to the continuing outages.
Rubio criticized Cuba’s economic system during a recent interview with Fox News, stating, “It’s a broken, nonfunctional economy, and it’s impossible to change it. I wish it were different.”
“I don’t think we’re going to be able to change the trajectory of Cuba as long as these people are in charge,” Rubio added.
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