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The acting United States Ambassador in Havana, Mike Hammer, met with officials from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the $100 million humanitarian aid offer that Washington has conditioned on reforms from the regime.
A State Department official confirmed on Wednesday the talks and accused the Cuban foreign ministry of spreading false information about the proposal.
"We have been in close coordination with the Cubans. We had a meeting yesterday and we continue to pursue that proposal aggressively, contrary to some of the lies from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs," stated the official on condition of anonymity.
The aid would be distributed exclusively through Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan's Purse, without the involvement of the Cuban government or its military and economic structures.
"We continue to urge the regime to accept the proposal and to try to avoid interference with the delivery of assistance," the official added.
Washington also questioned the regime's stance on the crisis affecting the Cuban people: "The Cuban regime has several billion dollars. We urge them to use that money to truly help the Cuban people and invest in their infrastructure instead of hoarding it."
The offer was publicly revealed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 8 from Rome, a day after meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The State Department formalized it on May 13 through an official statement.
The regime's stance has shifted significantly. Initially, Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described the offer as a "fable" and a "lie," but days later he softened his position and stated that Cuba was "willing to hear the details of the proposal."
Díaz-Canel stated on X that if assistance is provided in accordance with recognized humanitarian practices, Cuba "will not find obstacles or ingratitude."
This Wednesday, Cuba's Independence Day, Rubio published a video in Spanish aimed at the Cuban people, blaming GAESA for the crisis and offering a "new relationship" with Cuba on behalf of Trump.
On that same day, the Department of Justice filed formal charges against Raúl Castro for ordering the downing of two aircraft belonging to Brothers to the Rescue on February 24, 1996, a sign that Washington is maintaining judicial pressure as a negotiating leverage while discussions about aid continue.
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