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. (abcnews.com)
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. (abcnews.com)
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. (abcnews.com)
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. (abcnews.com)
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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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