The Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, addressed the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, issuing a stark warning to the Cuban regime. He asserted that Washington will no longer put up with the threat that Cuba poses to U.S. national security.
During his congressional testimony, Kozak linked Cuba's increasing vulnerability to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, stating, "With Maduro's arrest, the Cuban communist regime has lost its last benefactor. The end of substantial subsidies has exposed the regime's economic incompetence."
Quoting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kozak portrayed Cuba as a failed state just 90 miles from the U.S. coast, describing it as "a friendly territory for some of our adversaries." He emphasized that "President Trump has made it clear that we will not tolerate this threat any longer."
Kozak clarified that President Trump's executive order is crafted to target the regime, its security apparatus, and its economic control, stressing that the measure "is not aimed at the Cuban people."
Among recent milestones of U.S. pressure, Kozak highlighted the formal indictment against Raúl Castro, declassified on May 20, 2026, for his role in the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, a crime that killed three U.S. citizens and a legal permanent resident.
An audio recording from June of that year captures Castro, then Defense Minister, ordering, "Shoot them down over the sea when they appear; do not consult those who have the authority."
Maduro's arrest, carried out by U.S. special forces in Caracas on January 3, 2026, cut off the supply of 25,000 to 35,000 daily subsidized barrels of Venezuelan oil that sustained the island. This support had an estimated value of $63.8 billion from 1999 to January 2026. Without it, Cuba faces a projected 7.2% economic contraction this year, along with worsening chronic blackouts since the Venezuelan dictator's capture.
Kozak's testimony also reminded that July 11 marked the fifth anniversary of the massive 11J protests in Cuba, with hundreds of peaceful demonstrators still imprisoned. "We continue to demand that the regime release all political prisoners," he stated.
Raúl Castro, now 95, has an active arrest warrant and is considered a fugitive from U.S. justice. Along with him, five Cuban military officers were indicted; one of them, retired Lt. Col. Luis Raúl González-Pardo Rodríguez, was extradited to Miami on June 9, 2026.
The undersecretary concluded his remarks with words from Secretary Rubio: "The status quo is no longer sustainable. Cuba must undertake immediate economic and political reforms to reintegrate as a productive and responsible member of the Western Hemisphere."
U.S. Policy and Actions on Cuba
What was the impact of Nicolás Maduro's arrest on Cuba?
Maduro's arrest cut off significant oil subsidies to Cuba, valued at over $63.8 billion, leading to a projected 7.2% economic contraction and worsening power outages.
How has the U.S. increased pressure on the Cuban regime?
The U.S. has implemented measures targeting Cuba's regime and security apparatus, including the declassification of charges against Raúl Castro for past crimes.
Why is Raúl Castro considered a fugitive by the United States?
Raúl Castro is wanted by the U.S. for his role in the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, and he has an active arrest warrant.