Republican Congressman Carlos A. Giménez expressed strong disapproval on Thursday regarding the visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana. He condemned the Cuban government as a "cynical, despotic band of thieves" in his first public statement following news of the meeting.
Giménez shared his thoughts on X, using the hashtag #SOSCuba, shortly after the Cuban regime confirmed the high-level talks between Ratcliffe and the Cuban Ministry of the Interior. This meeting marks one of the most significant interactions between Washington and Havana in recent decades.
"The regime in Cuba is a cynical, despotic band of thieves. These terrorist thugs know their days are numbered," declared Giménez, who represents Florida's 28th District and is the only Cuban-born federal congressman in the United States.
The Cuban regime officially acknowledged Ratcliffe's visit through a statement on the Communist Party of Cuba's website, highlighting that Washington requested the meeting, which was approved by "the Direction of the Revolution."
A Critical Agenda: The Terrorism Sponsors List
The primary focus of the discussion was the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, where the Trump administration reinstated Cuba in February 2025.
The Cuban government argued to Ratcliffe that "Cuba does not pose a threat to U.S. national security, and there are no legitimate reasons to include it on the list," reiterating that the island "does not harbor, support, finance, or permit terrorist or extremist organizations."
Giménez's stance sharply contrasts with the more cautious approach of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. On the same day, Rubio told NBC, "It's impossible to change Cuba's economic course while current leaders remain in power," but he added, "we have to give it a chance."
An official from the State Department also confirmed to NTN24 that Cuba has "a small window to reach a deal" and that the regime "should stop playing games."
Diplomatic Activity Intensifies
Ratcliffe's visit occurs amid a flurry of diplomatic actions. On Tuesday, Donald Trump announced on Truth Social, "Cuba is asking for help, and we're going to talk!"
Miguel Díaz-Canel has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, and on Thursday, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla softened Cuba's stance on the U.S. offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid, stating that Cuba is "willing to listen to the specifics of the offer."
On Wednesday, Giménez accused the Cuban regime of rejecting over $100 million in food aid proposed by the U.S., alleging that the dictatorship prefers to seize aid to resell it.
Ratcliffe previously employed this model of direct intelligence diplomacy in January 2026 when he traveled to Caracas, leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. His visit to Havana underscores the strategic importance Washington places on this process.
Foreign companies with ties to the military conglomerate GAESA have until June 5, 2026, to cease operations with sanctioned Cuban entities, marking the next pressure point in negotiations whose outcome remains uncertain.
Insights into U.S.-Cuba Relations
Why did John Ratcliffe visit Cuba?
John Ratcliffe visited Cuba to engage in high-level talks with the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, mainly focusing on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
What was Congressman Carlos Giménez's reaction to the meeting?
Congressman Carlos Giménez harshly criticized the Cuban regime, describing it as a "cynical, despotic band of thieves" and expressing skepticism about its intentions.
How did the Cuban regime respond to the terrorism list issue?
The Cuban regime argued that it does not pose a threat to U.S. national security and rejected the legitimacy of its inclusion on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, claiming it neither supports nor allows terrorist activities.