All posts tagged: Ratcliffe

CIA’s Ratcliffe visits Cuba as US demands political change

CIA’s Ratcliffe visits Cuba as US demands political change

Published by Sam Flores

Cubans on electric tricycles decorated with Cuban flags ride past the US embassy during the anti-imperialist youth march in Havana on April 2, 2026. Yamil Lage | Afp | Getty Images The U.S. has reiterated its offer of assistance to Cuba in exchange for “fundamental changes” to its communist political regime after CIA director John Ratcliffe visited the Caribbean island nation on Thursday. Ratcliffe’s trip is thought to be only the second time the head of the U.S. intelligence service has been to the country since its 1959 communist revolution. The CIA director delivered a message to top Cuban lawmakers, according to news agency Reuters, stating that Washington would “seriously engage” with the country’s government — but “only if it makes fundamental changes.” On Thursday, the CIA posted photos on social media of Ratcliffe in the Cuban capital, Havana, with no context. CNBC reached out to the CIA for comment. In a statement, the Cuban government said that during Thursday’s meeting, “both ​sides … underscored their interest in developing bilateral cooperation between law enforcement agencies …

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana, US and Cuban officials say : NPR

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana, US and Cuban officials say : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

FILE – CIA Director John Ratcliffe, accompanied by President Donald Trump, speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, April 6, 2026. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption toggle caption Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP HAVANA — CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials including Raúl Castro’s grandson during a high-level visit to the island Thursday, Cuban and U.S. officials said. Ratcliffe met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services, and discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues. A CIA official confirmed the meetings to the AP. Ratcliffe was there “to personally deliver President Donald Trump’s message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes,” the CIA official said. An official statement from Cuba’s government noted that Thursday’s meeting “took place … against a backdrop of complex bilateral relations.” While the U.S. stressed that Cuba cannot continue to be a “safe haven for adversaries in …

Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials as CIA warns negotiation window ‘will not stay open indefinitely’

Ratcliffe meets with Cuban officials as CIA warns negotiation window ‘will not stay open indefinitely’

Published by Sam Flores

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a trip to Cuba Thursday to meet with officials amid negotiations that have followed President Trump’s public musings that he may invade the island nation. A CIA official also stressed Thursday that the window for negotiations may have a timeline, adding that “the Cubans should have no illusions that the… Source link

CIA chief John Ratcliffe makes rare visit to Cuba as island runs out of oil

CIA chief John Ratcliffe makes rare visit to Cuba as island runs out of oil

Published by Sam Flores

The head of the CIA visited Cuba on Thursday, an extraordinary step-up in contact between Washington and Havana as the communist-run island reels from US pressure, declaring that it is out of oil. The Central Intelligence Agency, at the heart of the decades-long struggle between the United States and Cuba, confirmed a Cuban government statement about Director John Ratcliffe’s visit. Photos posted by the agency on X showed Ratcliffe alongside several people with blurred-out faces meeting with Ramon Romero Curbelo, chief of the intelligence of the Cuban Interior ministry, and other Cuban officials. The visit comes during a deepening crisis in US-Cuba relations, with the island enduring constant power outages prompted by President Donald Trump’s fuel blockade. Only one tanker from Russia – a historic ally of the Cuban authorities – has got through. And that oil has now “run out,” Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state television. “The impact of the blockade is indeed causing us significant harm…because we are still not receiving fuel.” Trump has repeatedly signalled that he wants to topple …

Watch live: Gabbard, Ratcliffe face House panel on threats amid Iran conflict

Watch live: Gabbard, Ratcliffe face House panel on threats amid Iran conflict

Published by Sam Flores

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and others will testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday morning on national security threats as the U.S. military operation in Iran nears the three-week mark. The hearing comes a day after Gabbard and Ratcliffe faced tense questioning in the Senate over Operation Epic… Source link

Senate holds worldwide threats hearing with Gabbard, Patel and Ratcliffe

Senate holds worldwide threats hearing with Gabbard, Patel and Ratcliffe

Published by Sam Flores

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Man Utd owner Ratcliffe avoids charge by FA for ‘colonised’ comment | Football News

Man Utd owner Ratcliffe avoids charge by FA for ‘colonised’ comment | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe has apologised if people were offended by UK ‘colonised ⁠by immigrants’ comment. Listen to this article | 2 mins info Published On 20 Feb 202620 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has been reminded of his “responsibilities as a participant in English football” after he triggered a storm of criticism for claiming the United Kingdom had been “colonised” by immigrants. But England’s Football Association will not be charging Ratcliffe over his comments, which were widely condemned by political figures, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the club’s supporters. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The governing body issued Ratcliffe with a reminder of his responsibilities when taking part in media interviews, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly. British billionaire Ratcliffe, who owns petrochemicals giant INEOS, made the comments during an interview with Sky News, which aired …

FA reminds Man Utd co-owner Ratcliffe of responsibilities after immigration comments | News UK Video News

FA reminds Man Utd co-owner Ratcliffe of responsibilities after immigration comments | News UK Video News

Published by Sam Flores

The Football Association has spoken to Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remind him of his responsibilities as a participant in English football, Sky News understands. The intervention from football’s governing body follows Sir Jim’s comments about immigration. The founder of the INEOS chemicals group told Sky News that Britain had been “colonised” by immigrants who were draining resources from the state. It is understood that the FA advised Sir Jim that he should remember his football responsibilities when taking part in media interviews. However he will not face further action from the governing body over his remarks. Image: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe later apologised for the comments. Pic: AP Sir Jim, one of Britain’s richest men but a resident of tax-free Monaco, had told Sky News: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. “I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?” He later said he was “sorry …