US concludes Havana talks with Cuba, pushes reforms and internet access plan

U.S. State Department officials have concluded rare high-level talks in Havana with Cuban government representatives, marking a renewed but cautious diplomatic engagement amid rising political and economic tensions between Washington and Havana.

The delegation met with multiple Cuban officials, including key figures described as Cuban apparatchiks , and held discussions with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. Known within Cuban circles as “Raulito” and nicknamed “El Cangrejo” (“the crab”), he is widely viewed by U.S. officials as a de facto intermediary representing his grandfather’s continued influence.

The meetings were confirmed to have included multiple sessions, although most participants were not publicly identified. The visit also marked a significant milestone, as it is considered the first landing of a U.S. government aircraft in Cuba since the Obama-era rapprochement over a decade ago , excluding Guantanamo Bay operations.

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the U.S. delegation pressed Cuba to undertake urgent democratic and economic reforms , warning that the country’s economy is in “free fall” and that its leadership faces a narrow window to prevent further collapse. U.S. officials reportedly stressed that conditions inside Cuba are deteriorating rapidly, with shortages, energy crises and structural economic instability worsening the situation.

A major proposal on the table was a U.S. offer to help restore internet connectivity across the island through Starlink satellite services , aimed at improving communication access for Cuban citizens.

Beyond internet access, Washington reiterated long-standing policy demands tied to any potential easing of the U.S. embargo , including compensation for American assets confiscated after the 1959 revolution, the release of political prisoners, and steps toward broader political freedoms that could eventually lead to free and fair elections.

Officials also raised concerns about foreign intelligence, military, and other security-linked entities operating in Cuba with government approval , located close to U.S. territory.

On the Cuban side, there was no detailed official post-meeting statement , though the government has historically rejected U.S. pressure while blaming long-standing sanctions for its economic crisis.