Republican Congressman Carlos A. Giménez has sharply responded to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who had previously insisted that U.S. Secretary of State, Cuban-American Marco Rubio, "will be left longing" to visit Havana, adding that he has not been invited. "The U.S. Secretary of State wants to visit Havana but first wishes to change our government. He will be left longing. He knows nothing about Cuba, a country he has not been invited to," Rodríguez commented on X.
In a striking rebuttal, Giménez addressed the Cuban official, reminding him of the oppressive measures taken by the regime to maintain its grip on power. "They have repressed and trampled on an entire nation just to stay in control. No one believes their countless lies and poor propaganda anymore. Your time is running out," Giménez asserted.
Rodríguez, in his post, emphasized that his government has the people's support to continue defending the revolution, independence, and national sovereignty. "We've seen 13 U.S. presidents come and go, and we've lost count of the Secretaries of State," he concluded defiantly.
The origins of Rodríguez's remarks can be traced back to a response by Marco Rubio to a Fox News journalist during an interview on Tuesday in El Salvador. When asked if he envisioned himself, as a U.S. government representative, ever visiting Havana, Rubio replied, "Well, first of all, we have no intention of going to Havana with this regime in power, except to discuss when they will depart. This regime is a disaster. It has ruined the country. It is hostile to the United States. So until that changes, I have nothing to discuss with them," Rubio clarified.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What was Carlos Giménez's response to Bruno Rodríguez?
Carlos Giménez accused the Cuban regime of oppressing the Cuban people to hold onto power, stating that no one believes their lies anymore and that their time is limited.
What did Bruno Rodríguez claim about Marco Rubio's intentions?
Bruno Rodríguez claimed that Marco Rubio wishes to visit Havana but only after a change in government, implying that Rubio is uninformed about Cuba and has not been invited.
How did Marco Rubio respond to the idea of visiting Cuba?
Marco Rubio stated that he has no intention of visiting Cuba while the current regime remains in power, except to discuss their departure, labeling the regime as a disaster hostile to the U.S.