The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, launched a scathing critique against the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on Saturday, accusing him of being a "chronic liar" and contradicting President Donald Trump by denying the existence of a comprehensive fuel blockade on Cuba.
In a post on his X account, Rodríguez pointed out that the White House has acknowledged this energy blockade, while Rubio publicly denies it, attributing the island's electrical crisis to the Cuban government's "incompetence."
"When the U.S. Secretary of State talks about incompetence in Cuba, one should ask why he chronically lies and contradicts the U.S. President and his spokesperson by denying the fuel blockade that the White House acknowledges," the foreign minister wrote.
Rodríguez's argument is based on a documented contradiction within the U.S. administration itself.
Conflicting Policies and Declarations
Indeed, Trump signed an executive order on January 29, 2026, authorizing sanctions and tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba. However, on February 20, 2026, he signed another executive order ending additional tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), including those related to Executive Order 14380 against the Cuban government.
In March of that same year, Trump declared he had "no problem" with a Russian tanker delivering approximately 730,000 barrels of crude to the island, downplaying the incident with the comment, "Putin loses an oil ship." White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the sanctions policy hadn't changed, but the inconsistency was apparent.
The Broader Impact of U.S. Measures
Rodríguez described the situation as an "economic strangulation plan" orchestrated by Rubio. This plan reportedly involves preventing foreign companies from selling parts or technologies to Cuban thermoelectric plants, sanctioning any company selling oil to the island, and targeting CUPET, the Cuban state fuel logistics company.
The foreign minister also alleged that Washington's measures extend to nickel companies, threaten businesses involved in tourism and mining, revoke ESTA visa rights for foreigners visiting Cuba, and pressure countries that maintain medical cooperation agreements with Havana.
"If there were incompetence, why apply the fuel blockade and secondary sanctions? Each of his references to the situation in our country attempts to evade responsibility and present himself as the savior," Rodríguez questioned.
The foreign minister characterized the set of measures as "a total blockade, akin to a military one," and accused Rubio of openly calling for the subversion of Cuba's constitutional order and persistently seeking U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
Ongoing Tensions Between Rodríguez and Rubio
This exchange marks the latest in a series of social media clashes between Rodríguez and Rubio, which have escalated since Trump's return to the presidency in January 2026. These tensions run parallel to a severe blackout crisis that, according to the Cuban government, has reduced the island's energy imports by 80% to 90% due to U.S. sanctions.
Rubio, on the other hand, has repeatedly denied the existence of a "formal oil blockade" and has blamed the Cuban government and the military conglomerate GAESA for the energy crisis, citing "incompetence." He reiterated this stance on Friday in interviews with outlets like Telemundo, describing Cuba as a "failed state due to mismanagement and incompetence."
Understanding the Fuel Blockade Controversy
What is the alleged fuel blockade on Cuba?
The fuel blockade refers to the U.S.-imposed restrictions and sanctions aimed at preventing oil supplies from reaching Cuba, as acknowledged by some within the U.S. administration but publicly denied by Marco Rubio.
How has Bruno Rodríguez responded to U.S. sanctions?
Bruno Rodríguez has criticized the sanctions as part of an economic strangulation plan against Cuba, accusing Marco Rubio of lying and seeking U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
What contradictions exist within the U.S. administration regarding Cuba policy?
Contradictions include executive orders signed by Trump that both impose and lift tariffs related to oil supplies to Cuba, along with public statements that seem to conflict with official policy.