The Trump administration issued a covert ultimatum to Cuba during a meeting on April 10 in Havana: release high-profile political prisoners within two weeks as a gesture of goodwill, or face the repercussions from the U.S. government.
This demand was delivered by a high-ranking delegation from the State Department, marking the first time a U.S. government aircraft had landed in Cuba since 2016, as confirmed by a State Department official to USA TODAY.
Among those suggested for potential release are dissident artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo, who were sentenced in 2022 following the July 11, 2021 protests. Otero Alcántara is serving a five-year sentence in Guanajay prison, Artemisa, and had been on a hunger strike until April 6. According to the human rights organization Cubalex, his sentence should have ended in March, but the Artemisa Provincial Court dismissed a habeas corpus appeal on March 23.
Maykel Osorbo, co-creator of the protest anthem "Patria y Vida" — which won two Latin Grammys in 2021 — was given a nine-year sentence and remains incarcerated in Pinar del Río. Neither Otero Alcántara nor Osorbo were among the 2,010 prisoners released by the regime on April 3 as a humanitarian gesture for Easter, as confirmed by human rights organizations.
U.S. Economic Warnings and Proposals
During the April 10 meeting, U.S. officials cautioned the Cuban government about the island's plummeting economy and warned that the ruling elites have a limited window to implement reforms before the situation becomes irreversibly dire. The U.S. also proposed the introduction of Starlink's high-speed internet service to Cuba, contingent upon economic reforms, compensation to U.S. citizens and companies for confiscated properties, and the lifting of political freedom restrictions.
A senior State Department official held a separate meeting with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former leader Raúl Castro. Following this encounter, Rodríguez Castro reached out to Cuban businessman Roberto Carlos Chamizo González to personally deliver a letter to the White House, bypassing official channels. Chamizo González was intercepted in Miami, as initially reported by the Wall Street Journal.
A State Department spokesperson stated that "the Trump administration remains committed to securing the release of all political prisoners, including Alcántara and Osorbo." This development occurs amid reports that the Pentagon is quietly expediting plans for a potential military operation against Cuba, following statements from Trump himself, who, when asked, responded: "It depends on your definition of military action." The president has also pledged a new dawn for Cuba, a day awaited for 70 years.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Ultimatum to Cuba
Who are Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo are Cuban dissident artists associated with the San Isidro Movement. They were sentenced in 2022 following protests in July 2021.
What is the significance of the U.S. delegation's visit to Cuba?
The visit marked the first instance of a U.S. government aircraft landing in Cuba since 2016, signifying a direct diplomatic approach to addressing political prisoner issues.
What are the conditions for introducing Starlink's internet service to Cuba?
The U.S. proposed bringing Starlink's service to Cuba, which is contingent upon the Cuban government's implementation of economic reforms, compensation for confiscated properties, and the removal of political restrictions.