HAVANA , Cuba ( CNN ) -- President Obama misinterpreted Cuban President Raúl Castro 's offer to start talks with the United States , Castro 's brother Fidel said Wednesday , appearing to dismiss the U.S. leader 's call for Cuba to release political prisoners . Fidel Castro appears with Venezuela 's Hugo Chavez , left , and brother Raúl Castro in a photo released in June . In an essay published in state-run newspapers Wednesday , the ailing revolutionary leader said the people Washington calls political prisoners are `` in the service of a foreign power that threatens and blockades our homeland . '' Fidel Castro 's comments come after signs of a thaw in the decades-old impasse between the United States and the communist-ruled island to its south . Obama lifted all restrictions on visits and money transfers between American citizens and relatives in Cuba this month , while Raúl Castro said Cuba is prepared to talk with the United States about `` everything -- human rights , freedom of the press , political prisoners . '' Speaking at a conference of inter-American and Caribbean leaders Sunday , Obama said the Cuban leader 's declaration was `` a sign of progress . '' He added that the Cuban government could send a much clearer , more positive signal by releasing political prisoners or reducing fees charged on remittances Americans send to relatives in the country . But Fidel Castro wrote Wednesday , `` There is no doubt that the president misinterpreted Raúl 's statements . '' `` When the president of Cuba said he was ready to discuss any topic with the U.S. president , he meant he was not afraid of addressing any issue , '' Castro wrote . `` That shows his courage and confidence on the principles of the revolution . '' He said Cuba would be willing to release prisoners held since a 2003 crackdown on dissidents if the United States would release five Cubans convicted of spying in 2001 . And he criticized Obama for not doing more to lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba , imposed in 1962 . `` Should we wait for so many years before his blockade is lifted ? '' Castro asked . `` He did not invent it , but he embraced it just as much as the previous 10 U.S. presidents did . '' Castro ceded power to his brother in 2006 before undergoing surgery for a still-undisclosed intestinal condition . But he remains head of the Communist Party , and his essay raises the question of who would be calling the shots in any talks with Washington . `` Who 's in charge ? '' one Havana man asked Wednesday . `` Raul -- ah , Fidel -- ah , Raúl . '' But a woman who spoke to CNN said , `` The president is Raúl . He 's the one you have to listen to now . ''
Fidel Castro essay seems to dismiss U.S. leader 's call for Cuba to free dissidents . Raúl Castro has said Cuba is prepared to talk with U.S. about `` everything '' President Obama responds by saying Cuba should send signal and free prisoners . Comment: