Roberta S. Jacobson: “Venezuelans need to talk to Venezuelans.”

No government--neither that of the Castros nor those of third countries--can credibly make the case that pushing the Cuban Government to respect universal human rights is taking sides in a dispute between Cuba and the United States.

The importance of Pope Francis as a figure in Latin America just cannot be overstated.

It is very important that we work with countries on improving their mechanisms for transparency, for openness, and for anticorruption measures.

We will continue to encourage our allies to take every public and private opportunity to support respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba.