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The coordinator of Cuban Affairs at the United States Department of State, Rob Allison, met in Havana with Cuban dissidents Berta Soler and Ángel Moya during his recent visit to the Cuban capital, according to the United States Embassy on the island.
The meeting was announced this Friday through a message posted by the diplomatic mission on the social media platform X, although the exact date when the meeting took place was not specified.
During the meeting, Allison discussed the situation of human rights in Cuba with the opposition and reiterated Washington's stance on the release of political prisoners on the island.
"We reiterate that all political prisoners should be released and that human rights, including freedom of religion, should be respected, and that the Ladies in White should be allowed to attend mass," stated the U.S. embassy in its message.
Berta Soler is the leader of the Ladies in White, an opposition movement primarily made up of family members of political prisoners who have been denouncing the repression of the Cuban regime for years and demanding the release of those imprisoned for political reasons.
Ángel Moya, also an opponent and former political prisoner, has repeatedly denounced the arrests and harassment faced by members of this group when they attempt to attend Sunday mass in churches in Havana.
The meeting is part of Allison's agenda during her visit to Cuba, during which she also held meetings with leaders of the Catholic Church on the island, including Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García and Bishop Arturo González.
During that meeting, the parties discussed the distribution of humanitarian aid sent by the administration of President Donald Trump through the Catholic organization Caritas to support the population in various provinces of the country.
The visit of the U.S. official comes at a time of increasing pressure from Washington on the Cuban regime regarding human rights issues and the political situation on the island.
The meeting also takes place after President Donald Trump recently stated that his administration might be close to reaching an agreement with Havana to promote changes in Cuba.
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