CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana on Thursday to meet with Cuban officials, including Raulito Rodriguez Castro, grandson of former leader Raúl Castro.
Key details include U.S.-imposed sanctions that have cut off oil shipments since January. The lack of fuel has caused severe blackouts in Cuba lasting days at a time.
Ratcliffe delivered the message: Washington would "seriously engage" with Havana’s government only if it makes “fundamental changes.”
“Even they realize it's time for change,” said an unnamed senior administration official, referring to Cuban leaders. The U.S. has sanctioned several Cuban officials and organizations in recent weeks.
Emergency sanctions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio aim to deter companies from doing business with the government. Cuba is facing a crippling fuel shortage amid ongoing economic crisis due to these restrictions.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Friday, May 15, 2026 based on reporting from 3 verified news sources. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.