The Cuban regime's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, launched an attack on Thursday against U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, after his meeting in Washington with opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer, who recently arrived in exile under duress.
Rodríguez took to his X account, claiming Rubio had met with "criminals, abusers of women, and human rights violators," referring to Ferrer and other Cuban exiled activists.
"It is no surprise that the U.S. Secretary of State meets with criminals, abusers of women and the vulnerable, notorious human rights violators, and fraudsters who feign injury to blame others, masquerading as 'opponents' to profit from American taxpayers' money, which the Secretary himself openly hands them," the regime official wrote.
The foreign minister further alleged that this supposed policy is part of "a corrupt and fraudulent agenda aimed at the suffering of the Cuban people, which will continue to fail."
Rodríguez's statements were in response to the recent meeting in the U.S. capital between Marco Rubio and José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), during which the U.S. official reiterated Washington's support for freedom and democracy on the island.
During the meeting, Rubio praised "Ferrer's courage and resilience in the face of the Cuban regime's repression and the ruthless treatment against him and his family," according to the State Department.
The Secretary also emphasized that the United States will continue to support Cuban activists and demand accountability for human rights violations committed by the regime.
Ferrer, on his part, highlighted the humanitarian crisis in eastern Cuba following Hurricane Melissa and requested that international aid be channeled directly through the Catholic Church, bypassing state-controlled institutions.
The opposition leader also met with Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, who gathered with a group of former political prisoners, including Ana Lázara Rodríguez, Ángel de Fana, Maritza Lugo, and the rapper El Funky. The meeting reaffirmed a commitment to maintain international pressure for the release of over 1,100 political prisoners still held in Cuban jails.
Bruno Rodríguez's verbal offensive reflects the Cuban regime's typical stance towards interactions between opposition leaders and U.S. officials, whom they accuse of "interference" while ignoring the erosion of rights and freedoms within the country.
Key Issues in U.S.-Cuba Relations
What accusations did Bruno Rodríguez make against Marco Rubio?
Bruno Rodríguez accused Marco Rubio of meeting with "criminals, abusers of women, and human rights violators," referring to José Daniel Ferrer and other exiled activists.
What was the purpose of José Daniel Ferrer's meeting with Marco Rubio?
The meeting was to discuss U.S. support for freedom and democracy in Cuba and highlight Ferrer's experiences of repression by the Cuban regime.
How did the U.S. Secretary of State react to the allegations?
Marco Rubio emphasized the U.S. commitment to supporting Cuban activists and holding the regime accountable for human rights violations.