Rubio Says Cuba Poses National Security Threat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Cuba poses a “national security threat” to the United States and warned that the chances of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana were “not high”.

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The remarks came a day after the US charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder over the 1996 downing of two aircraft that killed US nationals.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rubio said Washington still preferred diplomacy but suggested relations with Cuba’s leadership were unlikely to improve soon.

“Diplomacy remains our preference with Cuba,” Rubio said. “I’m just being honest with you, the likelihood of that happening, given who we’re dealing with right now, is not high.”

Rubio also accused Cuba of being “one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region”, a claim strongly rejected by Havana.

Cuban response

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accused Rubio of spreading “lies” and denied that Cuba had ever threatened US security.

In a post on X, Rodríguez said Rubio was attempting to “instigate a military aggression” against the island and accused Washington of “ruthlessly and systematically” attacking Cuba.

The exchange marked a further escalation in tensions between the two countries as the Trump administration increases pressure on Cuba’s communist government.

Pressure on Havana

Cuba is facing a severe economic crisis, with fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts and food scarcity affecting much of the population.

Rubio said Cuba had accepted a US offer of $100m (£74.4m) in humanitarian assistance, although the Cuban government has continued to blame US sanctions and economic restrictions for worsening conditions on the island.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly tightened pressure on Havana and has openly discussed the possibility of ending the communist system established after the 1959 revolution.

On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced charges against Castro and several others linked to the 1996 shooting down of two planes operated by the Miami-based group Brothers to the Rescue. Prosecutors allege Castro, then Cuba’s defence minister, ordered the attack.

Asked whether the US intended to bring Castro to America to face trial, Rubio declined to discuss possible plans.

“I’m not going to talk about how we’re going to get him here,” he said.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the US expected Castro to appear in court “by his own will or another way”.

Trump hints at further action

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump described Cuba as a “failed country” and said his administration was attempting to help the Cuban people “on a humanitarian basis”.

He also suggested he could succeed where previous US presidents had failed.

“Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years doing something and it looks like I’ll be the one that does it,” Trump said.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 May 202