A U.S. delegation requested the Cuban government to authorize the use of Starlink satellites from the SpaceX company, owned by Elon Musk, to bring Starlink to the entire island and break the state monopoly on internet.
A high-ranking official from the Department of State detailed that this initiative would provide a free, reliable, and fast connection in every corner of Cuba. The proposal emerged during the April 10 meeting in Havana, marking the first official U.S. flight to the island since 2016.
Key meetings and influential figures in the bilateral dialogue
In addition to Starlink, the envoys met separately with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, grandson of Raúl Castro and a relevant figure in diplomatic channels. The Cuban government confirmed the meeting, although it denied deadlines or ultimatums, according to diplomat Alejandro García del Toro in Granma.
Pressure for economic reforms and freedoms
Representatives of the Trump Administration emphasized the need for economic reforms and governance to attract foreign investment and improve competitiveness. They also demanded compensation for confiscated properties after the 1959 Revolution, a pending issue in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Demand for release of political prisoners
U.S. reiterated the demand to release political prisoners such as dissident artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo. They expressed concern about foreign intelligence and terrorist groups on the island, warning of a limited window for changes before an irreversible deterioration.
Context of tensions: oil blockade and economic crisis
This pressure intensifies after U.S. intervention in Venezuela, which led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Since January, Washington has blocked oil shipments to Cuba, exacerbating the economic and social crisis. Historically, internet access in Cuba has been restricted; only 68% of the population had a connection in 2023, according to UN data, with low speeds under state control.
Experts in telecommunications highlight that Starlink, with over 6,000 satellites in low orbit, offers speeds of up to 220 Mbps and minimum latency, transforming remote regions. In Cuba, where power outages and censorship limit information, Starlink could democratize access, although it faces regulatory and geopolitical obstacles.
- Starlink already operates in 100 countries, resisting cyberattacks in conflicts like Ukraine.
- Cuba rejects pressures, prioritizing sovereignty over external concessions.
- Trump asserts diplomatic commitment, but will not tolerate a collapse that threatens national security.
The future of Starlink in Cuba depends on pending negotiations, in a context of growing tensions over energy and human rights.
