On Tuesday, Marco Rubio took the stage at the White House, filling in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave. He seized the opportunity during the press briefing to deliver a powerful message about Cuba, describing the regime as a "failed state" run by "incompetent communists," and emphasized that the situation "will be addressed."
Leavitt welcomed her second child on April 17 and has been on leave since. Rubio, who had humorously suggested he might take on the press secretary role during a surprise appearance in late April, confidently took the microphone this time.
Debunking the Cuban Regime's Oil Blockade Claims
At the outset, the Secretary of State refuted the Cuban regime's narrative of an alleged U.S. oil blockade: "There is no oil blockade against Cuba. Cuba used to get free oil from Venezuela. They received a substantial amount for free. They would sell about 60% of that oil for cash, not benefiting the people at all."
Rubio bluntly identified the true cause of the island's energy crisis: "The only 'blockade' that has occurred is that Venezuelans decided they would no longer give away free oil. In today's market, with oil prices where they are, no one is giving away oil, especially not to a failed regime."
Cuba's Leadership Incompetence Highlighted
Rubio criticized the regime's inability to address the crisis, stating, "The only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist. And that's what we have: incompetent communists running that country. They don't know how to fix it. They truly don't know."
Rubio had previously used this phrase on March 27, rejecting any limited economic reforms with Havana and dismissing any negotiation rumors based on anonymous sources.
Cuba's Situation as a National Security Concern
He framed the Cuban issue as a national security threat: "We have, just 90 miles from our shores, a failed state that serves as a favorable territory for some of our adversaries. This is an unacceptable situation, and we will address it, but not today."
The remarks come amid heightened pressure from Washington on Havana. On May 1, Trump signed a new executive order expanding sanctions against the regime in energy, defense, mining, and finance sectors, including secondary sanctions on foreign banks dealing with sanctioned Cuban entities.
On the same day, Trump reiterated his claim of receiving "94% of the Cuban vote" and expressed his "obligation to do something for Cuba," again mentioning the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime responds with confrontational rhetoric. Last Sunday, Díaz-Canel warned of the "imminence of a U.S. military aggression," invoking the "War of All the People" doctrine and declaring that "every Cuban man and woman has a rifle."
Rubio concluded his address with a stark warning: "Their economic model doesn't work. It doesn't work. And the people in charge can't fix it." He asserted that changes are imminent.
Key Points on Rubio's Remarks on Cuba
What was Marco Rubio's stance on the alleged U.S. oil blockade against Cuba?
Rubio dismissed the notion of a U.S. oil blockade, stating that Cuba previously received free oil from Venezuela, which they sold for profit instead of benefiting the Cuban people.
How did Rubio describe the Cuban regime?
Rubio characterized the Cuban regime as a "failed state" run by "incompetent communists" who are unable to resolve the nation's problems.
Why is the situation in Cuba considered a national security concern?
Rubio highlighted that having a failed state just 90 miles from U.S. shores poses a threat, particularly as it could serve as a base for adversaries.