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Cuba’s Revolutionary Government revealed that a delegation from the US led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe had visited Havana following a request from the US government, which marked a rare high-level intelligence meeting between the two countries.
According to Havana, the meeting took place on Thursday 14 May, in a complex ‘bilateral context’ that was aimed to contribute to political dialogue between Cuba and the US as part of efforts to address the current situation.
Cuban officials stated discussions with the US delegation and the information presented during the talks demonstrated that Cuba ‘does not pose a threat to US national security,’ while also rejecting Washington’s designation of the island as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Havana stressed there were no ‘legitimate grounds’ for Cuba’s inclusion on the US list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism, a designation that has long-been condemned by Cuban officials as politically motivated and harmful to the country’s economy and international relations.
The meeting signalled a potentially significant development between Havana and Washington despite years of strained relations and increased US pressure.
An official with the CIA told NewsNation that Ratcliffe met with Raulito Rodriguez Castro, Minister of Interior Lazaro Alvaraz Casas, and the head of the Cuban intelligence services Brigadier General Eduardo Delgado Rodriguez.
“During the meeting, Director Ratcliffe and Cuban officials discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and security issues, all against the backdrop that Cuba can no longer be a safe haven for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere,” the report added.
