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Cuba, CIA Director John Ratcliffe Meets Officials in Havana Amid Energy Crisis
Talks come as Cuba faces severe blackouts and escalating tensions with Washington over sanctions and energy supply restrictions
The Cuba, CIA Director John Ratcliffe Meets Officials in Havana Amid Energy Crisis takes place against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Havana, as the Caribbean nation grapples with a deepening energy crisis and widespread power outages.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe met senior Cuban officials in Havana while the country continues to experience electricity blackouts lasting up to 22 hours a day, alongside growing social unrest linked to fuel shortages and the collapse of the national power grid.
Intelligence dialogue amid political tensions
According to Cuban authorities, the meeting was intended to “contribute to political dialogue” between the two long-standing ideological adversaries and to strengthen cooperation between their respective intelligence agencies.
In images released by the CIA, Ratcliffe is seen alongside the U.S. delegation and Cuban officials, including Ramón Romero Curbelo, head of intelligence at Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior.
Havana reiterated that it does not pose a threat to U.S. national security and does not host foreign military or intelligence bases, rejecting Washington’s allegations regarding alleged Chinese installations on the island.
Energy crisis and domestic pressure
The mission comes amid a broader tightening of sanctions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump, who has described Cuba as an “extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and reinforced energy restrictions on the island.
The measures have deepened an already severe economic crisis. Cuban authorities have acknowledged shortages of diesel and fuel supplies, while the country’s main thermal power plant, Antonio Guiteras, remains offline due to a technical failure.
In recent days, seven provinces have been disconnected from the national grid, while spontaneous protests have been reported in Havana, where residents have banged pots and pans to denounce persistent blackouts.
U.S. humanitarian aid proposal
Washington has reiterated its readiness to provide Cuba with a $100 million humanitarian aid package in food and medicine, on the condition that distribution is carried out through the Catholic Church and accompanied by “significant reforms” of Cuba’s political system.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC that “the Cuban people should know that $100 million in food and medicine is available immediately.”
Havana’s response
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that humanitarian assistance would not face obstacles if aligned with international standards, but insisted that the most straightforward solution to the crisis would be the lifting of the U.S. embargo.
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(Photo: © AndKronos)
