Marco Rubio Warns Cuban Regime: "A Choice Between Collapse or Change"

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning to the Cuban leadership, urging them to choose between establishing a "real country with a functioning economy" where citizens can thrive, or persisting with their "failed dictatorship."

His remarks came during a joint press conference with Donald Trump, where they painted a grim picture of the island’s state, highlighting the economic downturn following the loss of external support.

Rubio pointed out that Cuba's "fundamental issue" lies in its leadership, which he described as being "surrounded by incompetence" and lacking understanding of a functional economy. He criticized the regime for prioritizing political control over economic viability for decades.

He elaborated that the Cuban system managed to survive for "over 60 years" due to external benefactors, initially the Soviet Union and more recently Venezuela, but emphasized that such support "is no longer there," placing Cuban leaders at a critical crossroads.

Rubio cautioned that maintaining the "false" dictatorship would lead to "systemic and social collapse." He stressed the gravity of the decision, noting that the United States has "no intention" of destabilizing Cuba, but attributed any potential unrest to the regime's refusal to grant "economic or political freedom" to its people.

These statements followed President Trump's assertion that "Cuba is in bad shape," reliant on Venezuela "for oil and money," which they "will no longer receive," painting Cuba as a "third-world country" facing an uncertain future.

In the discussion, Rubio highlighted the potential support from the Cuban-American diaspora, stating that there are "many people" eager to "return to Cuba and help," citing successful immigrants as an advantage Cuba holds over many other regions.

Also on Friday, Trump vowed to find ways to support Cubans residing in the U.S. who have suffered under the Castro regime. He addressed the political and economic ties between Cuba and Venezuela, reiterating his commitment to aiding Cuban exiles who have long reported persecution and human rights abuses on the island.

While specific support programs or policies were not outlined, his statement underscored a supportive stance towards the Cuban diaspora and their hardships under Castro's rule.

These declarations come amid the ongoing U.S. intervention in Venezuela, Cuba's long-time ally. "Cuba has always relied on Venezuela for money and oil, providing protection in return. That was always the deal," Trump remarked, criticizing Cuba's recent energy dependency.

The U.S. president highlighted that this dynamic has shifted due to the current intervention in Venezuela, where the U.S. has played a leading role following the ousting of former President Nicolás Maduro, and traditional energy relations are being reassessed.