An Olive Branch of Sorts

In a BBC article, dated 8/16, Ricardo (Slimy) Alarcon takes a cautious approach to the maximum leader's health:

"I hope that he will continue recovering and I look forward to him continuing to play the leading role that he has always played in our country"

Please note, he now "hopes." The article ends with an interesting tidbit:

"Mr Alarcon also said that an end to the US trade embargo against Cuba, which has been in force for almost half a century, was not a precondition for talks. "

Interesting.