Speaking from Manila, Philippines, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized on Wednesday that Cuba remains a direct national security concern for Washington. Addressing the media, he stated, "Cuba matters to us because it's only 90 miles from our shores, directly impacting our national security."
Rubio is currently in the Philippine capital to attend the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference meetings, which run from July 19 to 23. Outside of these meetings, he addressed questions from journalists regarding the Trump administration's policy towards the island nation.
U.S. Diplomatic Stance on Cuba
The head of U.S. diplomacy labeled Cuba twice as a "failed state" during his remarks and dismissed setting any deadlines for regime change. "I've never set a timeline for how or when change would occur. I wish it were tomorrow, because they deserve it. The Cuban people deserve a better future," Rubio stated.
Expectations for Change
While Rubio acknowledged that there was hope within the administration for economic and political transformations in Cuba by the end of 2026, he clarified that he did not predict these changes. "Global affairs aren't a miniseries where everything gets resolved in three episodes," he remarked. "We're dealing with a system that has been in place since 1959," he added.
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Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Policy on Cuba
Why does Marco Rubio consider Cuba a national security concern?
Marco Rubio considers Cuba a national security concern due to its proximity to the United States, being just 90 miles from U.S. shores.
Has the U.S. set a timeline for regime change in Cuba?
No, according to Marco Rubio, no timeline has been set for regime change in Cuba, although there are hopes for economic and political transformations by the end of 2026.