Cuba-US Talks Held Amidst Fuel Crisis and Aid Dispute

The Cuban government announced that CIA director John Ratcliffe met his Cuban counterpart at the interior ministry in Havana. This meeting occurred after the US renewed an offer of $100m (£74m) in aid aimed at alleviating the effects of Cuba's oil blockade.

A statement from the Cuban government indicated the meeting was intended to foster dialogue, and that Havana was not a threat to US national security.

Fuel shortages in Cuba have been worsened by US-imposed restrictions on essential supplies like diesel and fuel oil. These shortages have hampered hospital operations and led to the closure of schools and government offices.

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel separately stated that lifting the US blockade would be a more effective way to ease conditions in Cuba than offering aid.

The Cuban statement also highlighted a mutual interest in developing cooperation between law enforcement agencies for the security of both countries, as well as regional and international security.

Havana's confirmation of the meeting followed the sighting of a US government plane departing from Havana's José Martí international airport on Thursday afternoon, according to a Reuters witness.

Both Cuba and the US had previously acknowledged ongoing talks earlier this year, but negotiations appeared to stall as the oil blockade persisted.

Cuba has historically relied on Venezuela and Mexico for oil supplies, but these countries have significantly reduced shipments since US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on nations supplying fuel to Cuba.

Earlier on Thursday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez expressed readiness to 'hear the details of the US aid proposal and how it would be implemented'.

On Wednesday, the US state department announced its renewal of an offer for 'generous assistance to the Cuban people'.

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that Havana had rejected a previous $100m humanitarian aid offer, a claim Cuba denied.

The US state department reiterated its offer, specifying that the aid would be distributed 'in coordination with the Catholic Church and other reliable independent humanitarian organisations', thereby bypassing the Cuban government.

The department stated that the decision rested with the 'Cuban regime' to 'accept our offer of assistance or deny critical living-saving aid and ultimately be accountable to the Cuban people for standing in the way of critical assistance'.

In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez questioned whether the US aid offer would be in cash or in-kind assistance.

He added that 'the Cuban government does not, as a matter of practice, reject foreign aid offered in good faith and with genuine aims of cooperation, whether bilateral or multilateral'.

Rodríguez further stated that the most beneficial action the US could take would be to 'de-escalate energy, economic, commercial, and financial blockade measures, which have intensified as never before in recent months'.

Thursday's comments from Rodríguez followed a warning from Cuba's Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy that the country had completely run out of diesel and fuel oil.

In an interview with state-run media, de la O Levy noted limited gas availability but described Cuba's energy system as being in a 'critical' state due to the US-led blockade of oil.

Cubans have endured extensive blackouts, some nationwide, for months.

On Wednesday, following a significant power cut affecting eastern Cuba and parts of the capital, hundreds of Cubans took to the streets in Havana, blocking roads with burning rubbish and chanting anti-government slogans.

This marked the largest single night of demonstrations in Havana since the energy crisis began in January, according to Reuters.

Residents in the San Miguel del Padrón neighbourhood were heard shouting 'turn on the lights!', as reported by AFP news agency.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced the sanctions as 'illegal and abusive'.

Additional reporting by Harry Sekulich.