U.S. Officials Meet Cuban Figures

U.S. forces removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power. He has said Cuba is going to be next and has spoken about taking Cuba in some form. S. administrations have imposed sanctions on Cuba with limited results as the country's economy declined. S. officials have held meetings with Cuban figures to discuss economic and political reform.

Castro stepped down as Cuba's president in 2018 and as leader of the Communist Party in 2021. S. on charges including murder and conspiracy related to the 1996 downing of two planes. Miguel Díaz-Canel has served as president since 2018 and leads the Communist Party.

His term runs until 2028. He is the first non-Castro to hold the presidency since 1959 and was selected by Raúl Castro. S. is to identify differences and possible resolutions. Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga was appointed deputy prime minister last October and also serves as minister of foreign trade and investment.

The 55-year-old is a great-nephew of Fidel and Raúl Castro. In March he announced that Cubans in the diaspora may now invest and own businesses in Cuba. Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as Raulito, is Raúl Castro's 41-year-old grandson and serves as his bodyguard and adviser. S.

officials and met with Trump administration representatives in mid-April.

U.S. Sanctions and Economic Measures The U.S.

State Department announced new sanctions against GAESA on May 7. The department stated that GAESA controls 40 percent or more of Cuba's economy and generates income for the benefit of corrupt elites. It estimates GAESA's revenues are likely more than three times the state's budget and may control up to $20 billion in illicit assets. S.

embargo can only be lifted once a transition government is in place that does not include Fidel or Raúl Castro and once the new government moves toward a free-market system and free elections.