Rob Allison, the U.S. State Department's Coordinator for Cuban Affairs, recently held discussions in Havana with prominent Cuban dissidents Berta Soler and Ángel Moya, as reported by the U.S. Embassy in Cuba.
The embassy announced the meeting on Friday through a post on the social media platform X, though it did not disclose the exact date of the gathering.
In their discussions, Allison addressed the state of human rights in Cuba and reiterated Washington's stance on the release of political prisoners in the country.
"We continue to call for the release of all political prisoners and for respect of human rights, including religious freedom, and the right of the Ladies in White to attend Mass," stated the U.S. embassy in its announcement.
The Role of Berta Soler and Ángel Moya
Berta Soler leads the Ladies in White, an opposition movement primarily made up of the families of political prisoners who have long protested the Cuban regime’s repression and demanded the release of those imprisoned for political reasons.
Ángel Moya, also a dissident and former political prisoner, has repeatedly spoken out against the arrests and harassment faced by group members when attending Sunday Mass at churches in Havana.
Additional Meetings and Context
This meeting was part of Allison's agenda during his visit to Cuba, where he also engaged with Catholic Church leaders on the island, including Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García and Bishop Arturo González.
During these conversations, they discussed the distribution of humanitarian aid sent by the Trump administration through the Catholic organization Caritas to support the population in various provinces across the nation.
The visit by the U.S. official comes amid increasing pressure from Washington on the Cuban government over human rights and political issues on the island.
This meeting also follows recent remarks by President Donald Trump suggesting that his administration could be nearing an agreement with Havana to foster changes in Cuba.
Key Discussions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What was the main focus of Rob Allison's meeting with Cuban dissidents?
The discussions centered around human rights issues in Cuba, with an emphasis on the release of political prisoners and the respect for religious freedoms.
Who are Berta Soler and Ángel Moya?
Berta Soler is the leader of the Ladies in White, a group advocating for the release of political prisoners, while Ángel Moya is a former political prisoner and a vocal critic of the Cuban regime's repressive tactics.
What topics were discussed with the Catholic Church leaders in Cuba?
The discussions involved the distribution of humanitarian aid sent by the Trump administration through Caritas to assist various provinces in Cuba.