Meeting Held in Havana With CIA Director

The Cuban government announced that a meeting took place in Havana between a United States delegation led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and representatives of Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior (MININT).

“Following a request submitted by the government of the United States for a delegation headed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to be received in Havana, the leadership of the Revolution approved the visit and the meeting with its MININT counterpart,” according to a statement published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic of Cuba.

The statement noted that the meeting took place on Thursday, May 14, in a context marked by the complexity of bilateral relations, with the objective of contributing to political dialogue between the two nations as part of broader efforts to address the current international landscape.

The Cuban government further stated that “the information provided by the Cuban side and the exchanges held with the U.S. delegation made it possible to categorically demonstrate that Cuba does not constitute a threat to the national security of the United States, nor are there legitimate reasons to include it on the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.”

During the meeting, both sides reportedly reaffirmed the consistency of Cuba’s longstanding position in unequivocally confronting and condemning terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations.”

“Once again, it was demonstrated that the island neither harbors, supports, finances, nor permits terrorist or extremist organizations, nor are there foreign military or intelligence bases on its territory,” the statement added. “Cuba has never supported hostile actions against the United States and will not allow its territory to be used against any other nation.”

The note also highlighted the mutual interest of both parties in expanding bilateral cooperation between law enforcement and security agencies for the benefit of the security of both nations, as well as regional and international stability.