John Bolton Criticizes Marco Rubio: "Have You Forgotten Russia's Backing of the Cuban Regime?"

In a recent CNN interview, former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton expressed serious concerns over the current trajectory of American foreign policy, particularly regarding Russia's influence in Latin America and its implications for national security. Bolton directly challenged Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing him of aligning with the White House's agenda, reportedly orchestrated from the Kremlin under Vladimir Putin's guidance. He reminded Rubio of the threat posed by Russian presence in the region, emphasizing nations like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

"One reason it's increasingly difficult to get the Russians to negotiate is because Donald Trump is giving them everything they want. And let's not forget, what kind of regime are we talking about in Moscow? Marco, this is the regime that supports Ortega in Nicaragua, Maduro in Venezuela, and the post-Castro regime in Cuba. That's the Russia we're dealing with," Bolton stated.

When questioned about the tense meeting between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Bolton labeled it a "disaster for U.S. national security."

"Trump has distanced himself from the fundamentals of American foreign policy since 1945. Many of his supporters might cheer that, but it's a disaster for the United States. The Europeans can't do this alone. They might talk about it, but they need a U.S. leader who understands their own interests," he continued.

According to Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor during Trump's first administration, the President is "emotionally aligned with the Russian side, which spells disaster for the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and is a bad omen for U.S. allies globally."

"Trump is fixated on the idea that Zelensky and Ukraine conspired against him in the 2016 elections. I could read you some excerpts from my book, omitting the words not suitable for TV, that Trump repeatedly said about Zelensky. Meanwhile, he considers Putin a friend. This is not just the wrong direction; it's catastrophically wrong, rapidly, with global implications for our alliance system," asserted the international analyst.

Following the unfortunate encounter, CNN's interviewer noted that current National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary Rubio reportedly told Zelensky to leave the White House, closing the door on the negotiations for which he had traveled to Washington. "What would you have done if you were in your old position?" the presenter asked Bolton.

"Well, I might have followed the order, but I would have resigned afterward. Seeing Marco in that situation was very disappointing for me. He has been a staunch advocate of a vigorous U.S. foreign policy worldwide, which keeps us safer at home, yet he talked about the difficulty of getting the poor Russian regime to the negotiating table," Bolton remarked.

Encouraging Rubio to "put on his big boy pants," Bolton advised him on negotiating with Putin. "Putin is one of the most ruthless individuals I've encountered. He understands what exchange means. It's not that he's hesitant about sitting down at the table. He doesn't need to," Bolton affirmed.

"Trump has the breeze in his favor; he just needs to sit there and get more. This is precisely the opposite of what he's doing with his approach to negotiating with Putin. I can tell you the Russians are experts at accepting concessions, pocketing them, and then asking, 'What do you have for me now?' That's what's happening in the Kremlin tonight," Bolton concluded.

John Bolton: A Hardline Advocate in Foreign Policy

Bolton is a prominent figure in American politics, known for his firm and often controversial stances on national security and foreign policy issues. He served as National Security Advisor to President Trump from April 2018 until September 2019. During his tenure, Bolton advocated for more aggressive policies towards nations seen as adversaries of the United States, including Russia and its Latin American allies. His departure from the Trump administration came after significant disagreements over the strategy for countries like Venezuela and North Korea.

Cuban-American Community's Expectations and Concerns

The Cuban-American community has been closely monitoring the Trump administration's policy toward Cuba and other authoritarian regimes in the region. Initially, Rubio's appointment as Secretary of State was met with enthusiasm, anticipating a tougher stance against Latin American dictatorships. However, recent actions and statements have raised concerns and expectations among those who hoped for a more decisive policy.

Historic U.S.-Russia Relations Thaw

Recently, there has been a noticeable thaw in relations between the United States and Russia. Secretary Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov engaged in dialogue in Riyadh, following a conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin. This dialogue is seen as an attempt to improve bilateral relations and address international conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine. In this context, Bolton's statements highlighted the need for a reassessment of U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America, especially concerning Russian influence.