Political Prisoners and Human Rights

Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel publicly confirmed discreet, early‑stage talks with U.S. officials to “look for solutions” to bilateral differences, with U.S. contacts reportedly including a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Raúl Castro’s grandson, Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro. Díaz‑Canel said no fuel ships have arrived in three months and blamed a U.S. oil blockade and related Trump‑era measures — along with a cutoff of Venezuelan oil — for severe fuel shortages, recent islandwide blackouts and postponed surgeries, while Havana announced the planned release of 51 prisoners as a Vatican‑linked gesture and the U.N. has been discussing easing the blockade for humanitarian fuel.