Fact Check: Cuba Confirms US Talks, Starlink Proposal, and Tone of Discussions

Claim 1 US officials held multiple meetings in Havana on April 10, 2025, and met with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of former Cuban President Raul Castro. Axios reported that Trump administration officials held multiple meetings in Havana on April 10, including with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro. A senior State Department official also met separately with him. The article context notes multiple meetings. Verdict: Mostly true. Analysis: The core of the claim—that US officials met Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro on April 10 in Havana—is supported by multiple news reports. The detail of "multiple meetings" is consistent with the reports, though the exact number is not independently verified beyond the outlets’ accounts.

Claim 2 The United States proposed to Cuba that it allow Elon Musk's Starlink internet terminals to operate in the country and provide compensation to American individuals and corporations for assets seized by Cuba after the 1959 revolution. Reuters said US proposals for Cuba also include allowing Elon Musk’s Starlink internet terminals into the country and providing compensation for Americans and US corporations for assets confiscated after the 1959 revolution. Axios noted US negotiators laid out several conditions for negotiations, including the release of political prisoners, which aligns with the broader proposal context. Verdict: Mostly true. Analysis: The substance of the proposals—Starlink access and compensation for seized assets—is corroborated by Reuters. While the sources confirm the US put forward these ideas, they do not explicitly state that the proposals were presented as a formal offer to Cuba, but the framing in the reports indicates they were part of the negotiation talks.

Claim 3 The talks between Cuban and US officials in Havana were conducted with respect and professionalism, according to Cuban Foreign Ministry official Alejandro Garcia del Toro. Alejandro Garcia del Toro, deputy director general for US affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the exchange was conducted with respect and professionalism. He also noted the US delegation did not issue threats or deadlines, contrary to some US media reports. The same article mentions that some US outlets reported differently, and Garcia denied claims from Axios. Verdict: Mixed. Analysis: The Cuban official’s statement directly supports the claim of a respectful and professional tone. However, conflicting reports from US media and the official’s denial of certain Axios claims introduce uncertainty about the overall perception, making the claim only partially supported.

Watch for any formal agreement on Starlink access or compensation, and whether the US lifts its oil blockade in the coming weeks.