U.S. officials met this month with their Cuban counterparts in Havana, officials from both countries said on Monday (April 20, 2026), as Washington pushes for reforms of Cuba’s state-led economy amid an energy crisis and a U.S. blockade on oil shipments to the island.
Cuba’s President warns U.S. against attacking island or trying to depose him
A U.S. State Department official confirmed that the meeting took place on April 10 for talks overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, without detailing which officials took part in the talks. The meeting was first reported by Axios.
“The delegation reiterated that the Cuban economy is in free fall and that the island’s ruling elites have a small window to make key U.S.-backed reforms before circumstances irreversibly worsen,” the official said in comments shared on condition of anonymity.
The talks were a sign that the two countries could reach a diplomatic agreement even though President Donald Trump has hinted at potential military action against the island following the U.S. raid in January that captured President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, a close ally of Cuba.
