Cuba has said it would entertain a US offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid but expressed skepticism over US intentions at a time when its oil blockade on the island has crippled public services.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Thursday the island's government was willing to consider the offer, but said no strings should be attached.
"We hope it will be free of political maneuvering and attempts to exploit the hardships and suffering of a people under siege," Rodriguez said on social media.
Last week, the US State Department said it had privately offered the $100 million in aid to Cuba, in addition to "free and fast satellite internet" on the condition that the island government agree to “meaningful reforms”.
Rodriguez denied the Trump administration had made such an offer, calling it a "fable." The Trump administration then repeated the offer in a statement on Wednesday.
Last week, the United Nations called US fuel blockade unlawful, saying it had obstructed the "Cuban people’s right to development while undermining their rights to food, education, health, and water and sanitation."
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his government would accept the aid if it complied with international norms on humanitarian assistance.
But the Cuban leader called the offer "inconsistent and paradoxical," adding that Washington could do more to aid Cuba by simply lifting sanctions.
Diaz-Canel said Cuban priorities for use of the funds would be fuel, food and medicine.
CIA chief John Ratcliffe in Havana
Negotiations appeared to have stalled in recent weeks, though on Thursday the Cuban government confirmed it had met with CIA chief John Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe told intelligence officials in Cuba that the US was prepared to engage on economic security issues if Cuba makes "fundamental changes," a CIA official said.
Cuba said the visit took place after Washington requested Havana receive a delegation headed by Ratcliffe.
"The meeting took place this Thursday, May 14, in a context characterized by the complexity of bilateral relations, in order to contribute to the political dialogue between both nations, as part of the efforts to address the current scenario," it said.
Cuba said discussions with the US delegation provided evidence that "Cuba does not constitute a threat to the national security of the US, nor are there legitimate reasons to include it on the list of countries that, allegedly, sponsor terrorism."
