CUBAN authorities said talks between its Interior Ministry and a delegation led by United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Ratcliffe took place on Thursday.

The rare high-level intelligence meeting comes as tensions between the two countries continue to grow.

In a statement, the Cuban government said discussions with the US delegation “categorically demonstrated 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 supposedly sponsor terrorism.”

Havana also repeated its longstanding position of opposing terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” and how it has continually acted against extremism.

The statement also said that Cuba “does not harbour, support, finance or permit terrorist or extremist organisations,” adding that there are no foreign military or intelligence bases on the island.

“Cuba has never supported any hostile activity against the US nor will it allow actions against another nation from Cuban territory,” the statement added.

Cuba said the meeting showed a mutual interest in strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and security agencies “for the security of both nations and regional and international security.”

The visit comes as the US continues to threaten a military attack against Cuba in the wake of its illegal blockade and sanctions.

Cuba says the US sanctions affect fuel access which have intensified the island’s economic and energy crisis.

Havana has also pointed to increasing surveillance flights by US aircraft and drones near Cuban territory.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla confirmed on Thursday that Washington had made a formal offer of humanitarian assistance to Cuba.

He said Cuba welcomed the move, while warning that any aid should be free from any political conditions or “attempts to exploit shortages and suffering of a people under siege.”

There has been no immediate comment on the visit by the CIA