US Government Plane Arrives in Havana for First Time in 10 Years, Talks Urge Cuban Economic Reform
US officials met in Havana to urge Cuba's state-owned economy to undergo reforms, marking the first time a US government plane has landed in Havana since 2016, amidst Cuba's energy crisis and a US oil embargo.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 11:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 11:31 (4 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 11:53 (22 min after Collected)
Central News Agency Havana 20th Composite Foreign Report
(Havana, April 20, Central News Agency, comprehensive foreign report) US and Cuban officials met in Havana this month, and officials from both sides stated today that despite Cuba's energy crisis and the US embargo on oil shipments, Washington still urged the Cuban state-owned economy to undergo reforms.
A US State Department official confirmed that the talks took place on April 10, overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but did not disclose which officials participated. This meeting was first reported by the digital news media Axios.
The unnamed official stated: "The US delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is rapidly collapsing, and the ruling class has only a brief opportunity to push for key US-backed reforms before the situation irreversibly deteriorates."
Reuters reported that after US President Trump ordered a US military raid to arrest then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January this year, he also hinted at possible military action against Cuba. However, these talks show that there is still an opportunity for the US and Cuba to reach a diplomatic agreement.
US officials pointed out that this arrival of the US delegation's plane in Cuba was the first time a US government plane had landed on Cuban soil since 2016, excluding the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
The official added: "President Trump is committed to a diplomatic solution whenever possible, but if the Cuban leadership is unable or unwilling to act, he will not allow Cuba to pose a significant national security threat."
Alejandro Garcia del Toro, Deputy Director-General for US Affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that neither deadlines nor verbal threats were set during these talks. He described it as "a respectful meeting."
Garcia del Toro stated: "Lifting the energy embargo on Cuba is our top priority."
US demands include: allowing Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet terminals into Cuba; compensation for US individuals and businesses whose assets were confiscated by Cuba after the 1959 revolution; Cuba should release political prisoners and grant greater political freedom.
The official also pointed out that the US is concerned about foreign influence in Cuba. (Edited by: Chi Chin-ling) 1150421
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(Havana, April 20, Central News Agency, comprehensive foreign report) US and Cuban officials met in Havana this month, and officials from both sides stated today that despite Cuba's energy crisis and the US embargo on oil shipments, Washington still urged the Cuban state-owned economy to undergo reforms.
A US State Department official confirmed that the talks took place on April 10, overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but did not disclose which officials participated. This meeting was first reported by the digital news media Axios.
The unnamed official stated: "The US delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is rapidly collapsing, and the ruling class has only a brief opportunity to push for key US-backed reforms before the situation irreversibly deteriorates."
Reuters reported that after US President Trump ordered a US military raid to arrest then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January this year, he also hinted at possible military action against Cuba. However, these talks show that there is still an opportunity for the US and Cuba to reach a diplomatic agreement.
US officials pointed out that this arrival of the US delegation's plane in Cuba was the first time a US government plane had landed on Cuban soil since 2016, excluding the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
The official added: "President Trump is committed to a diplomatic solution whenever possible, but if the Cuban leadership is unable or unwilling to act, he will not allow Cuba to pose a significant national security threat."
Alejandro Garcia del Toro, Deputy Director-General for US Affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that neither deadlines nor verbal threats were set during these talks. He described it as "a respectful meeting."
Garcia del Toro stated: "Lifting the energy embargo on Cuba is our top priority."
US demands include: allowing Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet terminals into Cuba; compensation for US individuals and businesses whose assets were confiscated by Cuba after the 1959 revolution; Cuba should release political prisoners and grant greater political freedom.
The official also pointed out that the US is concerned about foreign influence in Cuba. (Edited by: Chi Chin-ling) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts; every donation you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Reproduction, public broadcast, public transmission, or utilization of the text, images, and audio on this website is prohibited without authorization.