On Tuesday, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba's Foreign Minister, declared that Marco Rubio, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State, "won't get the chance" to visit Havana. Rodríguez asserted that a change in Cuba's government would be necessary for such a visit, a change he claims will not occur.
The Cuban diplomat dismissed the possibility of Rubio’s visit, sharply criticizing the U.S. official for his lack of knowledge and absence of an invitation from Cuba. "The U.S. Secretary of State wants to visit Havana, but only after changing our government. He won't get the chance. He knows absolutely nothing about Cuba and wasn't invited," Rodríguez posted in his statement.
Rodríguez defended Cuba's political system, asserting that his government enjoys the support of the Cuban people and will continue to uphold the Revolution, as well as the nation's independence and sovereignty. "We've seen 13 U.S. presidents come and go, and we've lost track of the Secretaries of State," he concluded defiantly.
Activist Iliana Hernández commented, "He will visit, that's for sure. Nothing lasts forever, and you are on the decline." Other opinions followed: "God is great and doesn't want a balcony to fall on Marco Rubio's head while visiting Havana's ruins"; "Tick tock, tick tock"; "The only thing he's missing is the hunger and misery in Cuba"; "What a ridiculous statement!" One user summed up, "We don't want anything from the U.S.; just keep sending remittances, but no opinions."
Back in 2016, during his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, Rubio, in a CNN interview, made it clear that he would never visit Cuba unless it was free. His reasons, firmly rooted in his stance back then, remain unchanged to this day. The context then was the recent visit of President Obama to Cuba.
Rubio embarked on his first international tour as Secretary of State last Saturday, starting in Panama. The journey also includes stops in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation on key issues such as migration, regional security, and economic growth.
Known for his strong stance against authoritarian regimes in Latin America, particularly Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, Rubio reaffirmed his commitment to bolstering security and stability in the region. His appointment as Secretary of State, the first Hispanic to hold the position, marks a significant milestone in U.S. politics, highlighting the growing influence of the Latino community on the international stage.
Understanding Marco Rubio's Position on Cuba
Why does Bruno Rodríguez believe Marco Rubio will not visit Cuba?
Rodríguez believes that a change in Cuba's government would be necessary for Marco Rubio to visit, a change he asserts will not happen.
How has Marco Rubio's stance on visiting Cuba evolved over the years?
Marco Rubio has consistently maintained that he would only visit Cuba if it were free, a position he has held since his 2016 presidential campaign.
What are the objectives of Marco Rubio's current international tour?
Rubio's tour aims to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation on migration, regional security, and economic growth in countries like Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.