CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials in Havana on Thursday, the Cuban government announced, in an effort to improve dialogue between the United States and the communist-run island nation. The meeting occurred amid a severe fuel crisis that has left Cuba with no diesel or fuel oil, according to the energy minister, who blamed the US blockade.
Fuel Crisis Deepens
Cuba's Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy declared on state media Wednesday that the country has "absolutely no fuel [oil] and absolutely no diesel," describing the national grid as being in a "critical" state with no reserves. Fuel oil, a product derived from crude oil distillation used for heat and power generation, is essential for the island's energy needs. The shortages have led to blackouts lasting up to 22 hours or more, sparking protests in Havana where residents shouted "turn on the lights," banged pots and pans, and set fire to rubbish piles.
Protests and US-Cuba Relations
The CIA meeting took place a day after these protests erupted. The Cuban government's statement emphasized that the exchanges with the US demonstrated that Cuba poses no threat to US national security and that there are no legitimate reasons for its inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. It also denied allegations of a Chinese presence on the island, stating that Cuba has never supported hostile activities against the US and will not permit actions against other nations from its territory.
US-Cuba relations have deteriorated significantly under the Trump administration, which imposed a fuel blockade in January and has imposed sanctions on the island. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio renewed an offer of $100 million in aid, conditional on distribution through the Catholic Church, bypassing the Cuban government. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged the US to lift the blockade instead, stating that the humanitarian situation is "coldly calculated and induced." However, he added that Cuba would accept aid if Washington showed genuine willingness.
Diplomatic Engagement Continues
Despite tensions, intergovernmental talks are ongoing. A high-level diplomatic meeting took place in Havana on April 10, marking the first time a US government plane landed in the Cuban capital since 2016. The CIA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday's meeting.
