US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cast doubt on the likelihood of a diplomatic resolution with Cuba, as President Donald Trump renews threats of military action against the island nation. Speaking to reporters before departing for a NATO meeting in Sweden, Rubio acknowledged that while the Trump administration prefers a peaceful negotiated agreement, the chances are slim given the current Cuban leadership.
Trump's Military Posturing
President Trump, during an environmental event in the Oval Office, stated that previous US presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades but that he appears poised to take action. "Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something," Trump said. "And, it looks like I'll be the one that does it. So, I would be happy to do it."
Rubio, a long-time hardliner on Cuba whose parents immigrated from the island, emphasized that Cuba poses a national security threat due to its ties to US adversaries. He insisted that Trump is serious about addressing the issue and that the administration will not allow Cuba to "buy time and wait us out."
Diplomatic Efforts and Sanctions
Despite the tough rhetoric, Rubio confirmed that top Trump aides, including himself and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, have met with Cuban officials in recent months to explore potential improvements in relations. However, these talks left the US side unimpressed, leading to additional sanctions imposed on the Cuban government in the past week.
When asked about the possibility of using force to change Cuba's political system, Rubio reiterated that a diplomatic settlement is preferred but noted that "the president always has the option to do whatever it takes to support and protect the national interest." He rejected the notion of "nation-building," framing any potential action as addressing a national security risk.
Indictment of Raúl Castro
The renewed threats come a day after federal prosecutors unveiled an indictment against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, accusing him of ordering the 1996 shooting down of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles. The charges, secretly filed by a grand jury in April, include murder and destruction of an airplane. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the indictment as a political stunt aimed at justifying military aggression.
The indictment has drawn comparisons to the Trump administration's capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation in January. Maduro, now imprisoned in the US, faces federal drug trafficking charges and has pleaded not guilty.
Military Movements and Sanctions
The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and accompanying ships arrived in the Caribbean Sea on the same day the charges were announced, participating in maritime exercises with Latin American partners. Rubio declined to discuss how the US might implement the indictment against Castro, who turns 95 next month.
Trump has been threatening military action in Cuba since ousting Maduro and ordering an energy blockade that choked off fuel shipments, leading to severe blackouts, food shortages, and economic collapse. This month, the administration imposed new sanctions, including against Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (Gaesa), a business conglomerate operated by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Rubio also announced that the sister of Gaesa's executive president, who was living in the US, has had her green card revoked and been arrested, now in ICE custody. "Past administrations have permitted the families of Cuban military elites, Iranian terrorists and other reprehensible organisations to enjoy lavish lifestyles in our country funded by stolen blood-money, while the people they repress at home suffer in increasingly dire circumstances. No longer," Rubio said.
International Reactions
China opposes US sanctions and pressure on Cuba, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. "China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity and opposes external interference," Guo Jiakun added.
