A senior official from the U.S. State Department revealed on Tuesday to EFE that during a visit to Cuba on April 10, the American delegation proposed allowing the installation of Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, with the aim of providing free, fast, and reliable connectivity across the island.
This initiative was part of the agenda during the meeting held in Havana, marking the first landing of a U.S. government aircraft on Cuban soil since 2016.
The offer challenges the monopoly held by ETECSA over telecommunications in Cuba, a system criticized for its slow speeds, high costs, and restricted access to information.
Elon Musk himself noted on March 17 on his X account that Starlink is already operational in Cuba, but it cannot be marketed due to restrictions imposed by the regime.
In addition to the technological proposal, representatives from the Trump administration emphasized the need for Havana to implement economic and governance reforms to boost competitiveness and attract foreign investment.
Washington also reiterated its demand for the release of political prisoners and the expansion of civil liberties while expressing concern about the alleged presence of foreign intelligence services and groups considered terrorist organizations close to U.S. territory.
Among those mentioned were artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo, members of the San Isidro Movement, whose release has been a constant demand of the U.S. administration.
The delegation also discussed possible compensation mechanisms for U.S. citizens and companies for properties confiscated after the 1959 revolution, an issue still under review in the U.S. judicial system.
During their stay, a high-ranking U.S. official met separately with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of Raúl Castro, considered by Washington to be a key interlocutor within the real power structure in Cuba, beyond the formal role of President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
According to U.S. sources, Cuba has a limited window to implement reforms backed by Washington before the economic and social situation deteriorates irreversibly. In this context, the Trump administration continues to pursue a diplomatic solution while warning that it will not allow the island to become a source of instability for U.S. national security.
The Cuban regime confirmed the meeting on Monday through Alejandro García del Toro, the deputy director general for the United States at the Cuban Foreign Ministry, who assured the official newspaper Granma that the meeting took place without deadlines or pressure.
This version contrasts with reports from U.S. media outlets like USA Today, Fox News, and the Miami Herald, which speak of a two-week ultimatum for the release of high-profile political prisoners.
The dialogue comes amid a severe economic crisis on the island, with a cumulative contraction of 23% since 2019 and a projected GDP decline of 7.2% by 2026, exacerbated by the halt in Venezuelan oil supplies since January.
Potential Impact of Starlink in Cuba
What is Starlink, and how could it benefit Cuba?
Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX designed to provide high-speed internet access around the globe. For Cuba, it could mean significantly improved internet connectivity, bypassing the current limitations imposed by ETECSA.
Why is the U.S. offering Starlink to Cuba?
The U.S. aims to promote free access to information and empower the Cuban population by providing them with reliable internet connectivity, challenging the existing telecommunications monopoly.
What are the barriers to implementing Starlink in Cuba?
Current barriers include the Cuban government's restrictions on foreign telecommunications services and the ongoing political tensions between the U.S. and Cuba.