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

Axios
by Marc Caputo
April 17, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

U.S. officials met in Havana, urging freedoms and offering Starlink, while warning of risks.

How This Affects You

Cuban citizens could benefit from potential internet restoration and economic changes, while facing security concerns.

AI Summary

U.S. State Department officials met in Havana with Cuban apparatchiks, including Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, grandson of Raul Castro, to urge democratic and economic freedoms and warn of risks. The U.S. delegation offered to help restore internet services by setting up Starlink satellite services. This meeting, the first time a U.S. government plane touched down since President Obama's visit a decade ago, occurred with President Trump in office and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. U.S. officials also reiterated longstanding U.S. policy to help eliminate the Cuban embargo and expressed concerns about foreign intelligence, military, and terror groups operating with Cuban governmental permission. President Trump's government will not allow a disaster to occur on the island, according to a senior State Department official.

What's Being Done

U.S. officials are negotiating with Cuba, offering internet and reiterating policy.

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