U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested the possibility of engaging with certain individuals within the Cuban regime, but he emphasized that this option comes with a clear boundary.
These remarks were made on Wednesday during a press conference in New York, coinciding with the 81st United Nations General Assembly and a week of heightened diplomatic pressure from the United States on Havana.
"Obviously, there are figures within that regime with whom we can never engage because their hands are stained with blood," Rubio stated. "However, there are also individuals who might be willing to collaborate if they are prepared to steer the country toward political and economic freedom."
The crucial condition is not just the willingness to change, but the direction of that change. Any regime figure aspiring to be a Washington interlocutor must commit to genuine transition, not mere cosmetic adjustments.
Rubio’s Conditions for Progress with Cuba
While Rubio did not outline a formal list of demands, his statements allow us to identify several expectations that Washington has for engaging in negotiations with Cuba. These include:
- Substantial political changes: Progress towards "political freedom" and initiating a transformation process beyond superficial reforms.
- Economic opening: Guiding the nation towards "economic freedom," with more opportunities for private initiative and ownership.
- Clear transition: Placing Cuba on an "irreversible trajectory" toward a different political and economic model.
- Investment guarantees: Implementing promised reforms and providing "certainty" that rules will be respected and investments protected.
- Acceptable interlocutors: The U.S. is open to working with figures from the current regime willing to drive these changes, excluding those with "blood-stained hands."
Rubio also clarified that Washington does not anticipate a complete transformation overnight. "You can't reverse over sixty years of mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence in six months," he asserted, while affirming the U.S.'s readiness to assist if Cuba embarks on this journey.
Potential U.S. Actions in Cuba
The Secretary of State addressed questions about whether the U.S. might mirror its actions in Venezuela—referring to Nicolás Maduro's capture in January 2026—and whether legal actions against Raúl Castro might lead to similar outcomes.
While Rubio did not rule out the use of force entirely, he emphasized that it is not the preferred option for Cuba. "Our preference is always to address these issues through negotiation and politics, without resorting to military force," he stated.
He also issued a warning: "If a threat to U.S. national security arises, President Trump has both the authority and duty to confront it."
Rubio insisted that Cuba stands at a historic juncture that should not be squandered. "I am hopeful and believe they will seize it. I am not confident, but I am optimistic, and we are ready to help," he expressed.
He acknowledged the absence of quick fixes for Cuba’s economy. "More than 60 years of poor governance, corruption, and incompetence can't be undone in six months," he cautioned.
In June 2026, Rubio informed Congress about the existence of "technocrats" within the Cuban regime with whom Washington might collaborate for a transition, though he did not name specific individuals.
During that congressional hearing, Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar mentioned Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro—known as "El Cangrejo," a MININT colonel and Raúl Castro's grandson—as a potential generational interlocutor. Rubio neither confirmed nor denied this suggestion.
Rubio's remarks came a day after President Trump labeled Cuba as a "completely failed state" at the General Assembly, predicting the regime's "fall," which prompted the Cuban delegation to walk out in protest.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced Trump's comments as "falsehoods and slanders," denying any formal negotiations between Washington and Havana, thereby contradicting Trump's claim that Rubio was "deeply involved" in talks with the Cuban government.
Key Considerations for U.S.-Cuba Relations
What conditions has Rubio set for engaging with the Cuban regime?
Rubio has emphasized the need for substantial political and economic changes, a clear transition to a different model, investment guarantees, and acceptable interlocutors.
Is military action an option for the U.S. in Cuba?
While not the preferred option, Rubio did not rule out military action if a threat to U.S. national security arises, reaffirming that negotiation is favored.
What was Cuba's response to Trump's remarks at the UN?
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rejected Trump’s comments as false and denied formal negotiations, leading the Cuban delegation to exit in protest.