"They have no fuel. They have no money. They have no one coming to rescue them. The regime has been stubborn since 1959, but even they realize it's time for a change,"
"It's hard for corporations to make money in Cuba and the sanctions just make it not worth it for companies to stay there,"
"The CIA official said Ratcliffe went to Havana "to deliver President Trump's message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.""
"Havana's readout said the Cuban side demonstrated to Ratcliffe that Cuba is not a threat to the U.S. or a state sponsor of terror, as it was designated in Trump's first term."
Cuban officials hosted CIA Director Ratcliffe and other U.S. figures, signaling possible interest in a deal. Ratcliffe urged Cuban leaders to take lessons from a January 3 operation in Venezuela that toppled Nicolás Maduro. U.S. officials described Cuba as lacking fuel, money, and rescue, and suggested the regime recognizes the need for change. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led secret talks with Cuban leaders and power brokers, with no clear breakthrough. Emergency U.S. sanctions announced by Rubio warned companies that financial penalties would follow business with Cuba, making operations less profitable. Cuba revealed the meeting as part of efforts to address the current scenario and said it demonstrated Cuba is not a threat or a state sponsor of terror. Ratcliffe delivered a message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues if Cuba makes fundamental changes, including discussions on intelligence cooperation, economic stability, and security.
Read at Axios
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