John Ratcliffe, director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), arrived in Havana on 14/5/2026 to meet Cuban officials, including Minister of Interior Lazaro Alvarez Casas and leaders of the country's intelligence agencies. He also met Raulito Rodriguez Castro, grandson of Cuban leader Raul Castro.
The CIA stated Ratcliffe visited Cuba to discuss intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and security issues. He personally delivered a message from President Donald Trump that the "U.S. is prepared for serious engagement on economic and security matters, provided Cuba makes fundamental changes."
The Cuban government later confirmed the meeting, stating the U.S. had requested it. In a statement broadcast on national television, Havana asserted that the discussions "definitively demonstrated" Cuba is not a threat to U.S. national security, and Washington has no valid reason to include Cuba on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials in Havana in an image released on 14/5/2026. Photo: X/CIA
Cuba affirmed it has never supported any hostile activities against the U.S., nor allowed its territory to be used against another nation. Cuban officials added that the meeting with the CIA director is part of efforts to promote bilateral political dialogue between the two countries.
Ratcliffe's visit occurred amid escalating tensions in Washington-Havana relations. President Trump has recently increased pressure on Cuba, threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. These actions exacerbated Cuba's energy crisis, leading to numerous widespread power outages across the national grid.
Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy on 14/5/2026 described the power system's condition as "serious," stating the country had run out of fuel for its thermal power plants.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez warned last week that the U.S. is on a "dangerous path" if tough rhetoric from Washington continues. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel urged the U.S. to lift or ease the oil blockade, suggesting this could quickly alleviate many humanitarian challenges Havana faces.
By Thanh Danh (Based on AFP, CBS)
