CUBA — A delegation of senior State Department representatives traveled to Cuba aboard a U.S. government plane last week for talks on political and economic reforms, the release of political prisoners and potential access to Starlink. It was the first time a U.S. government plane had landed in Cuba since former President Barack Obama traveled to the island in 2016.

The discussions covered the Trump administration's push for political and economic reforms and its demands for the release of political prisoners. The American side also floated offering Cuba access to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

During the visit, one U.S. diplomat met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of former President Raúl Castro. Both Cuba and the United States have acknowledged that talks are underway.

The trip took place as Cuba continues through a months-long energy crisis. President Trump threatened to impose heavy tariffs on any country that exports oil to Cuba, and oil shipments to the island have effectively stopped. Last month, the U.S. allowed a Russian-flagged tanker to dock in Havana in what the administration described as a humanitarian reprieve.

Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of intervening in Cuba. "We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this," he said. He has also said the U.S. will not let the island collapse into a major national security threat if Cuba's leaders are unwilling or unable to act.

Earlier this year, Cuba said it would loosen some restrictions on foreign investments. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed Trump's remarks during a rally on Thursday. "We do not want it, but it is our duty to prepare to avoid it and, if it becomes inevitable, to defeat it," Díaz-Canel said.