(VOVworld) - Tentative plans for US Secretary of State John Kerry to visit Cuba before mid-March for a human rights dialogue have been canceled, US officials said on Thursday. The decision was made with both sides are preparing for a two-day visit by US President Barack Obama to Cuba later this month.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (Photo: Reuters/Gary Cameron)

At a congressional hearing last Tuesday, Kerry said he might visit Cuba in the next one or two weeks for a dialogue on human rights, ahead of President Obama’s scheduled trip.

The officials said the cancelation is because US and Cuban officials are discussing a number of issues relating to President Obama’s visit and a Kerry trip in the timeframe Kerry mentioned was not seen as constructive.