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Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted
TL;DR
Cuba confirmed a recent meeting with U.S. officials amid ongoing tensions over the U.S. energy blockade. This marks the first diplomatic visit to the island by American diplomats since 2016.
Key points
- Cuba confirmed meeting with U.S. officials on the island
- Tensions remain high over the U.S. energy blockade
- First U.S. diplomatic visit to Cuba since 2016
Mentioned in this story
Miguel Diaz-CanelU.S. State DepartmentCuba
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, center, attends a celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the proclamation declaring the Cuban Revolution socialist, in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, April 16, 2026. Ramon Espinosa/AP
Ramon Espinosa/AP
HAVANA — Cuba's government on Monday confirmed that it had recently met with U.S. officials on the island as tensions between the two sides remain high over the U.S. energy blockade of the Caribbean country.
Senior U.S. State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said on Friday that American diplomats flew earlier in April to the island for the first time since 2016 in a new diplomatic push. Neither U.S. nor Cuban officials have said exactly when the meeting took place nor which U.S. officials took part.
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Alejandro García del Toro, deputy director general in charge of U.S. affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Monday that the U.S. delegation included assistant secretaries of state, and that the Cuban delegation included representatives at the level of deputy foreign minister.
The exchange was conducted "respectfully and professionally," he said, adding that the U.S. delegation did not issue any threats or deadlines as has been reported in some U.S. media.
"The elimination of the energy embargo against the country was a top priority for our delegation," García del Toro said. "This act of economic coercion is an unjustified punishment of the entire Cuban population."
Q&A
What was discussed in the recent Cuba-US meeting?
The specifics of the discussions have not been disclosed, but they revolve around the U.S. energy blockade affecting Cuba.
When did U.S. diplomats last visit Cuba before this meeting?
U.S. diplomats last visited Cuba in 2016 before this recent meeting in April 2026.
Who represented the U.S. in the meeting with Cuban officials?
The identities of the U.S. officials who participated in the meeting have not been revealed.
