THE Cuban government confirmed that it held talks in Havana recently with US officials over ending Washington’s illegal energy blockade of the Caribbean nation.

Deputy director in charge of US affairs Alejandro Garcia del Toro, revealed that the US delegation included assistant secretaries of state while the Cuban delegation consisted of representatives at the level of deputy foreign minister.

Mr Garcia de Toro said that contrary to reports in some US media outlets, no threats or deadlines were issued by the US side.

He said: “The entire exchange was conducted with respect and professionalism.”

According to reports in the Granma newspaper, Mr Garcia del Toro said ending the three-month illegal US oil blockade was a “top priority” for the Cuban government in the talks.

Granma reports that Mr Garcia del Toro accused Washington of “blackmail” for threatening tariffs on countries that provide or sell oil to Cuba.

He described the US threats as “economic coercion” and an “unjustified punishment for the entire Cuban population.

“It is also a form of global blackmail against sovereign states, which have every right to export fuel to Cuba, in accordance with the principles of free trade.”

US news outlet Axios claimed on Friday that officials from far right US President Donald Trump’s administration held several meetings in Havana on April 10 with a Cuban delegation that included Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of former president Raul Castro.

Axios reported that US officials set out several conditions for talks with Cuba to continue, including the release of prominent “political prisoners,” and an end to alleged political repression and a liberalisation of Cuba’s economy.

The Reuters news agency said that US proposals also included demands to allow Elon Musk’s Starlink internet terminals into the country and providing compensation for US individuals and corporations for assets confiscated by Cuba after the 1959 revolution.