Marco Rubio Accuses Cuba of Supporting a 'Network of Intelligence and Ideology' Tied to Extremist Groups

On Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the Cuban regime of establishing and maintaining an extensive network of intelligence and ideology that has contributed to the rise of the far left in the United States and the Western Hemisphere. He claimed this network remains closely linked to radical groups both within and beyond the West.

Rubio made these remarks during his speech at the Ministerial Conference on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, held at the State Department in Washington D.C.

The event brought together representatives from over 70 countries across Europe, Latin America, and Asia, including nations such as India, Indonesia, and Singapore. The conference, convened by the Trump administration, aimed to redefine Western counterterrorism strategy in response to the threat posed by the far left.

“The Cuban regime's extensive network of intelligence and ideology played a pivotal role in building the far left in our country and hemisphere, and it remains intricately connected to far-left groups and movements both within and outside the Western world,” Rubio told the delegates.

The Secretary also highlighted that Iranian proxy networks are becoming increasingly entwined with leftist militant groups worldwide. He noted that Antifa militants operate as a transnational network, traveling between Europe and the Americas to engage in coordinated attacks, distribute propaganda materials, and finance operations through encrypted channels.

Rubio argued that for decades, Western counterterrorism efforts have had a "blind spot" concerning leftist political violence, with all attention focused on the jihadist threat.

To support his argument, he cited that between 1970 and 1980, 93% of terrorist attacks in the West were perpetrated by the far left.

Currently, far-left violence in Germany has increased by more than 40% over the past year, while in Greece, over 80% of radical violence is attributed to far-left and anarchist actors.

Providing historical context, Rubio recalled the training of "tens of thousands of Marxist guerrillas in Castro's terrorist camps," as well as the involvement of groups like the FARC, ELN, Tupamaros, and Montoneros in Latin America, and the Red Brigades in Italy and the Red Army Faction in Germany.

Rubio announced that the Trump administration will continue to expand its counterterrorism strategy, with new designations of far-left groups as foreign terrorist organizations, and the next counterterrorism workshop will be co-hosted with Germany.

“Either we cooperate across our borders, or terrorists will continue to exploit the gaps between them,” warned the Secretary of State.

Rubio's address came amid a consistent escalation of U.S. sanctions against Havana. On July 13, just three days before the conference, the U.S. imposed an eighth round of sanctions targeting 10 additional Cuban entities, including the Rapid Response Brigades and the Ministry of Tourism. In June, Rubio had already sanctioned MINFAR, ICAP, and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

The Cuban regime dismissed the conference even before it began. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez labeled it "McCarthyist" and based on "lies," advising Rubio to "read history."

Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío described the event as a "smokescreen" meant to obscure the Republicans' unfavorable electoral climate. China also came to Cuba’s defense on Wednesday, criticizing the sanctions imposed by Washington days earlier.