Both sides reportedly discussed Obama’s recent overtures to the island nation and concern for action on human rights.
While there is no word on the talks with Havana, State Department spokesman Robert Wood had earlier said ‘We’re certainly willing to engage, but there needs to be reciprocal steps. What we’d like to see are some steps to give the Cuban people some of the freedoms that are enjoyed by other peoples in the hemisphere’.
President Obama has lifted travel and money transfer restrictions on Cuban-Americans with relatives in Cuba. The 47-year-old economic embargo on Cuba is unlikely to be relaxed until the communist regime show progress on human rights.
The State Department is planning to hold more ‘informal meetings’ with Cuba to test the waters for more formal dialogue.
Cuba and the US don’t have diplomatic relations. The Cuban interests section in Washington runs out of the Swiss embassy.
