Cuban U.N. Ambassador Rejects U.S. Demand To Free Political Prisoners
Cuba's U.N. ambassador rejected a U.S. demand that the island free political prisoners, saying the issue is not part of bilateral talks at the United Nations in New York this week.[1]
At the U.N., the diplomat denied that releasing detainees was being negotiated and called the demand a "politicized" accusation, the ambassador said. The statement came after renewed public pressure from Washington for Cuba to free people arrested in anti-government unrest.[1]
The episode traces back to months of tension following large anti-government protests that led to arrests and international calls for detainee releases. Washington has made human rights a central point in recent demands, while Havana has insisted such matters fall under its domestic jurisdiction.[1]
The ambassador's flat denial marks a likely obstacle to any U.S. plan to make prisoner releases a condition in broader talks. If Cuba holds firm, negotiators in New York may have to shift focus away from detainees to other areas of bilateral disagreement.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Cuban U.N. Ambassador Ernesto Soberón Guzmán said releasing political prisoners is 'not on the negotiating table' in talks with the U.S.
- A U.S. delegation held secret meetings in Havana starting April 10 at the undersecretary of state and deputy foreign minister level.
- The State Department said Cuba has a 'small window to make a deal' and reiterated its goal of releasing all political prisoners.
- Talks included U.S. concerns about foreign powers in Cuba and compensation for Cuban Americans' expropriated property linked to potential embargo relief.
- The negotiations occur amid a U.S. energy blockade, deepening blackouts in Cuba, and Trump's public threats of tariffs and possible intervention.
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