The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday it had confirmed that almost 100 peaceful activists had been detained in Cuba on Sunday, Reuters reported.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the detentions were concerning but would not interfere with the looming restoration of diplomatic relations between Havana and Washington.

'In fact, it reinforces the need to move forward with re-establishing diplomatic relations because opening that embassy, we believe, will advance our human rights agenda by opening up channels of official engagement,' he said.