Roberta S. Jacobson: “We could not accept not meeting with democracy activists and with the broadest swath of Cubans possible.”

We absolutely believe that they have to be heard. They are a very important voice.

We have strongly resisted attempts to be used as a distraction from Venezuela's real problems.

Our previous approach to relations with Cuba over a half century, though rooted in the best of intentions, failed to empower the Cuban people.

There is nothing in the policy that we undertook that was not something done in our national interest.