State Department officials have reportedly warned Havana that it has a “short window” to implement reforms
U.S. officials have urged Cuba to transition from socialism to a market-based economy and compensate U.S. citizens and corporations whose assets were seized in the 1960s, multiple U.S. media outlets reported Friday and Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
A US State Department delegation outlined the demands last weekend during its first visit to Havana since 2016, as Cuba grapples with severe fuel shortages and blackouts following sanctions imposed on oil shipments by President Donald Trump.
The US reportedly called on Cuba to implement economic reforms, expand the private sector, attract foreign investment, and release political prisoners. According to The New York Times, US officials also proposed bringing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to Cuba and allowing unrestricted connectivity.
Axios reported that Washington also urged Havana to allow greater political freedoms, which ultimately led to “Free and fair elections.” The outlet quoted a US official as saying this “The island’s ruling elite have a short window to enact major US-backed reforms before conditions deteriorate irreversibly.”
Michael Kozak, a senior State Department official, confirmed on Thursday that the US is pushing for “Drastic Reforms” In Cuba. Trump, who previously threatened to invade the island, has recently softened his stance, suggesting that Washington could help Cuba deal with its economic difficulties.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told RT on Saturday that the country is not afraid of a possible war with the US. He stressed that Havana is open to talks with Washington, but only on an equal footing and without any pressure.
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