Incident Clouds US-Cuba Progress

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, Feb. 20 — The US and Cuban governments held a second round of talks on migration issues on Friday.  Then in the evening, Washington’s emissaries met with a group of “dissidents” which Cuba sharply rejected as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs and highly undiplomatic.

The meeting that reviewed the existing migration accords was termed by Cuban authorities as “respectful”.

Craig Kelly, undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs led the US delegation at the talks while Cuba was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez.

No new agreements were announced coming out of the talks.

In Cuba’s eyes, the “respectful” visit turned sour when the high level Obama administration delegation met in the evening with a group of dissidents that the Cuban government considers mercenaries subservient to US interests.

“With this offensive conduct toward the Cuban authorities and people, the American government confirms that instruments of subversive policy against Cuba continue, and shows the lack of real will to improve ties with our country,” the government said.

The US under Obama continues to maintain its half-century economic blockade on Cuba while prohibiting its ordinary citizens from visiting the Caribbean island.