The CIA has been playing on Havana's nerves as Washington steps up pressure on Cuba
During a secret meeting in Havana, the CIA director employed a blunt and demonstrative tactic to pressure the Cuban leadership, which, according to journalists, came as a complete surprise to the host side. He brought an operative linked to the operation against Nicolás Maduro to the talks, effectively setting the tone for the entire conversation. This was reported by CBS News.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe did not arrive in Havana alone, but was accompanied by an operative linked to U.S. intelligence operations in Venezuela, and this move immediately transformed the closed-door meeting with Cuban officials into a tense political signal rather than a mere diplomatic dialogue.
Journalistic sources claim that Ratcliffe specifically introduced his companion as a participant in an operation that, according to them, inflicted losses on Cuban forces during the events in Venezuela, thus making it clear that Washington is prepared to act much more forcefully than before when it comes to regional allied regimes.
The article emphasizes that this gesture served as a form of psychological pressure on Havana, as Cuba and Venezuela have long been political partners in the region, and any military incidents between them and the U.S. only exacerbate tensions in their relations.
Journalists note that the appearance at the talks of a person linked to a sensitive operation was perceived as a clear signal of a shift in Washington’s approach, which is no longer limited to diplomatic formulas and demonstrates a willingness to act through force and direct special operations tools, while the CIA itself traditionally refrained from commenting.
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