On Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla launched a verbal attack against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing him of attempting to "reinstate political persecution and repression" against those who oppose the Trump administration.
Rodríguez's comments were a direct response to a ministerial meeting organized by Rubio, scheduled for July 16 in Washington, where representatives from over 60 countries will gather to discuss the "reemergence of transnational left-wing terrorism."
"The newly called meeting by the U.S. Secretary of State aims to reinstate political persecution and repression against those who denounce, dissent, and fight against the neoliberal, imperialist, fascist, and far-right measures promoted by the U.S. government," Rodríguez Parrilla stated on X.
The Cuban foreign minister added, "The means to achieve this, the victims, or the double standards do not matter. All it takes is a new lie from someone with a record of creating them and a well-controlled propaganda machine."
The summit organized by Rubio will include nations from Latin America, Europe, and Asia, such as India, Indonesia, and Singapore. Notably, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were not invited to the gathering.
Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the State Department, explained that the meeting addresses "an old threat reemerging with strong transnational ties and new convergences."
Rodríguez's statement occurs amidst ongoing tensions between Havana and Washington.
On Tuesday, the State Department announced an upcoming report documenting alleged links between the Cuban regime and radical left-wing organizations in the United States, focusing on Code Pink and the People's Forum.
The report claims that "for nearly seven decades, the Cuban regime has played an indispensable role in virtually every major left-wing insurgency, revolution, and militant movement in the Western Hemisphere and beyond."
On July 13, Washington imposed new sanctions on Cuban entities, including the Rapid Response Brigades and the Territorial Troops Militias, under Executive Order 14404. Rodríguez described these measures as "criminal and genocidal."
The Department of Justice is also investigating 145 pro-Cuba organizations in the United States for potential violations of the FARA Act, with combined revenues of approximately $1 billion annually.
Rubio, who in June labeled Cuba as the "world capital of radical left-wing terrorism," has led a diplomatic and sanctions offensive against the Havana regime since the start of the second Trump administration.
Understanding the Political Tensions Between the U.S. and Cuba
Why did Bruno Rodríguez criticize Marco Rubio?
Bruno Rodríguez accused Marco Rubio of attempting to reinstate political persecution and repression against those opposing the Trump administration, in response to a ministerial meeting organized by Rubio.
What was the purpose of Marco Rubio's meeting?
The meeting was intended to address the reemergence of transnational left-wing terrorism, gathering representatives from over 60 countries.
Which countries were excluded from Rubio's summit?
Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were not invited to participate in the summit.