Exile Leaders Slam Possible U.S.–Cuba Deal: 'An Offense and a Humiliation for the Cuban People'

Cuban exile leaders have criticized reports of a possible agreement between Washington and Havana that could ease some U.S. restrictions while allowing members of the Castro family to remain on the island.

Ramón Saúl Sánchez, a longtime activist with the Movimiento Democracia, called the prospects of such a deal "an offense and a humiliation for the Cuban people."

In a message addressed to President Donald Trump, Sánchez said the proposal would amount to "a lifeline to that tyranny," as El País reports. He added that he wanted to see Cuba free but not "occupied by American corporations taking advantage of what remains of our homeland with those henchmen in power."

According to reports cited by USA Today on Monday the discussions involve potential economic measures including easing restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba and expanding negotiations in sectors such as tourism, energy and ports. The plan could also include lifting some sanctions tied to the decades-old U.S. embargo.

Sources familiar with the talks have suggested the arrangement might even involve the departure of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel while allowing members of the Castro family to remain on the island rather than go into exile. Neither government has publicly confirmed the details.

U.S. officials have framed the approach as prioritizing economic change over political reform. "Set aside for a moment the fact that there is no freedom of expression, no democracy, no respect for human rights," said Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently. "The fundamental problem in Cuba is that it has no economy."

Reports show growing anxiety inside Cuba as U.S. pressure intensifies. According to The New York Times, some residents have begun openly discussing the possibility of U.S. intervention after Washington's military actions in Venezuela and Iran, with one Cuban quoted as saying "the Americans have to come so this ends."

However, others on the island have expressed skepticism as economic conditions worsen, with some saying years of hardship have left them dubious that outside pressure will produce meaningful change. "If you think about change... we've been disappointed too many times," one Havana resident told El País in late February.

The debate comes as speculation grows about Washington's strategy toward Cuba. The president has suggested the government could collapse under economic pressure, saying the United States might "very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba."