CIA Visits Cuba Amid Energy Blockade and $100M Aid Offer

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba, marking only the second trip by a head of the U.S. intelligence service since 1959. The U.S. offered $100 million in assistance to Cuba contingent on changes to its political regime. Cuba has faced blackouts lasting up to 22 hours due to an oil blockade, with the country's Energy Minister stating fuel supplies have been exhausted. The U.S. military has increased intelligence-gathering near Cuba, heightening tensions between the two nations.