On Wednesday in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed questions concerning a potential military intervention or extraction operation in Cuba. He asserted that in the face of a national security threat, the president holds both the authority and the duty to respond accordingly.
The comments were made during a press briefing coinciding with the 81st United Nations General Assembly and were disseminated by the U.S. Department of State.
A journalist's inquiry followed Rubio's discussion on Cuba's future, pressing on the potential for regime change through military action or extraction, specifically referencing allegations against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
While Rubio chose not to focus his response solely on Cuba, he emphasized a broader context, stating, "First of all, the United States—and this is a general response, not specifically about Cuba—if there is a threat to U.S. national security, the president is both empowered and obligated to address it."
Rubio did not announce any military action against Cuba nor did he confirm any preparatory measures from Washington. Instead, he outlined the administration's general stance regarding presidential powers when national security is perceived to be at risk.
Prior to addressing potential military actions, Rubio had remarked that "the Cuban Revolution has failed" and noted that the island’s authorities still have the chance to implement significant changes.
"They have the opportunity to set their country on an irreversible path toward progress and a better future. This undoubtedly involves both political and economic freedom," he stated.
Rubio assured that the U.S. remains actively engaged with Cuban affairs and is ready to support initiatives that could spark transformative change.
"We are open to measures that, moving forward, can start this process of change," he declared, cautioning that such a profound transition would not occur overnight.
"More than 60 years of mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence cannot be reversed in six months," he commented. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Cuba has a "golden opportunity" to embark on a path toward a different future.
During the same press session, Rubio also discussed investment possibilities in Cuba, arguing that "no one will invest in Cuba under its current government model," criticizing the lack of guarantees and legal security for the private sector.
In another segment of his remarks, Rubio indicated that there are individuals within the Cuban governmental structure with whom the U.S. would not engage, asserting that some have "blood-stained hands," as shown in a video of the briefing circulated on social media.
Understanding U.S. Policy on Cuba
What did Marco Rubio say about potential military action in Cuba?
Marco Rubio did not confirm any military action against Cuba. Instead, he emphasized the president's duty to respond to national security threats in a general context, without focusing solely on Cuba.
How did Rubio describe the state of the Cuban Revolution?
Rubio stated that "the Cuban Revolution has failed" and highlighted the need for political and economic reforms to guide the country towards a prosperous future.
What was Rubio's stance on investing in Cuba?
Rubio argued that investment in Cuba is unlikely under its current government model due to the lack of legal guarantees and security for the private sector.