In a rare diplomatic meeting, senior Cuban officials met this week in Washington with representatives of the United States government, although no significant progress was made on Cuba’s demand to be removed from the list of countries that support terrorism. According to diplomatic sources in both countries, Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío held meetings with Brian Nichols of the State Department and Juan González of the White House.
These conversations at the representation level are rare between the United States and Cuba, despite the fact that both countries maintain regular dialogue on immigration issues and the fight against international crime.
Former President Donald Trump reversed the opening policy towards Cuba established by his predecessor Barack Obama and once again included the communist island on the list of states that support terrorism, along with Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
President Joe Biden promised to review this policy when he took office in 2021, but hardened his stance after anti-government protests in Cuba in July of that year.
Cuba has focused its efforts on being removed from this blacklist and has expressed its discontent with the lack of political will on the part of the Biden administration. However, the State Department has not yet announced a decision on the matter.
During the meeting, issues related to human rights, immigration, and other bilateral issues were discussed. The commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba in 1962 continues to be a pending issue between the two nations.
This unusual meeting suggests a certain openness in relations between the United States and Cuba, but the removal of Cuba from the list of countries that support terrorism remains a delicate issue without a definitive resolution.