Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted - AP News

AP News
April 20, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Cuba confirmed meeting with U.S. officials on the island and demanded the lifting of the energy blockade.

AI Summary

Cuba confirmed that its officials met with US officials on the island, marking a direct engagement between the two nations. During these discussions, Cuba reiterated its demand for the lifting of the energy blockade imposed by the United States. This meeting signals ongoing, albeit limited, diplomatic contact between Washington and Havana despite longstanding tensions. Cuba views the lifting of the energy blockade as crucial for its economic stability and energy security. The discussions highlight the persistent issues defining the complex relationship between the two countries.

Source Coverage Map

5 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

12% coverage
Did Not Cover (38)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96ProPublica95+33 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Could the US oil blockade snuff out the Cuban cigar?
Global

Could the US oil blockade snuff out the Cuban cigar?

Since January, the Trump administration has blocked foreign oil to Cuba. Will the island's cigars survive the crisis?

Al JazeeraApr 15
Scoop: Inside the historic U.S.-Cuba negotiations in Havana
Global

Scoop: Inside the historic U.S.-Cuba negotiations in Havana

<p>U.S. State Department officials met in Havana with Cuban apparatchiks —including the grandson of aging strongman <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/cuba-trump-raul-castro-indict" target="_blank">Raul Castro</a>— to urge democratic and economic freedoms and warn of the risks of not heeding their advice, Axios has learned.</p><ul><li>The U.S. delegation also offered to help restore internet services by setting up Starlink satellite services.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The meeting last Friday itself marks a diplomatic breakthrough because it's the first time a U.S. government plane has touched down since President Obama visited a decade ago in an effort for rapprochement.</p><hr><ul><li>This time, Cuba is closer to societal collapse than ever, President Trump is in office with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and they're far less inclined to make concessions.</li></ul><p><strong>Zoom in</strong>: A senior State Department official told Axios that multiple mee...

AxiosApr 17
U.S. Officials Visited Havana to Lay Out Proposals for Cuban Reforms
Global

U.S. Officials Visited Havana to Lay Out Proposals for Cuban Reforms

The delegation told Cuba’s leadership that it had only a narrow window of time to make the economic and political changes demanded by the Trump administration.

New York TimesApr 18
Cuba's president says island does not wish for U.S. aggression but ready to fight if necessary
National Security

Cuba's president says island does not wish for U.S. aggression but ready to fight if necessary

Earlier this week, Trump said his administration could focus on Cuba after the war in Iran ends.

PBS NewsHourApr 16
US imposed 2-week deadline during secret Cuba meeting - USA Today
Global

US imposed 2-week deadline during secret Cuba meeting - USA Today

USA TodayApr 20
IMF, World Bank meetings show limits in mitigating shocks, reliance on US for solutions - Reuters
Global

IMF, World Bank meetings show limits in mitigating shocks, reliance on US for solutions - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxPbkNaNUtLMVBoaHEzYVI0SndXZTZoUnd6TjRMV0x2UHJoSkJLUDFWZHJyaVBfSTRNMFBRQ1NudXItcFpMd0NwUzFGWGZ4UVhRUGpSenRPV0Z0MEd6Zlcxb2RRM0FFNVJvWnI1YTNTSVdibTItQ2EtLVA0b3hmZ2hldlQwVDJqUXpRd3l2cXBVNlZuZTAyTV9UQ3JKNnlmVjE1QXItUXpxWnJ0Q25oZ2VGemlzUFpFR29Ga2NTZmx0a0tWSGljbmI2ckZB?oc=5" target="_blank">IMF, World Bank meetings show limits in mitigating shocks, reliance on US for solutions</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersApr 19
Read Next
US imposed 2-week deadline during secret Cuba meeting - USA Today
Global

US imposed 2-week deadline during secret Cuba meeting - USA Today

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources