U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has firmly rejected any information about the situation in Cuba that doesn't originate from official sources, asserting that only he and President Donald Trump have access to verified data on the matter.
The comments were shared on the social media platform X by user Eric Daugherty, who posted a clip of Rubio denouncing what he labeled as "fake news" and unreliable sources discussing Cuba's circumstances.
"I'm just warning you: All those sources talking about Cuba know nothing. They're not part of the process. I assure you they have no clue about what's actually happening," Rubio declared.
Rubio also questioned the legitimacy of certain reports: "Where do you get that 'feeling'? No, no. Any report on Cuba that doesn't come from me or the president is a lie, because we're the only ones working on it."
International Focus Intensifies on Cuba
Rubio's statements arrive amidst growing international scrutiny of Cuba, amid political tensions and anticipation of potential changes on the island.
Regarding a possible agreement with the Cuban regime, Rubio was unequivocal: "What do you mean by an economic deal? Cuba's economy needs to change, and it can't unless its government system changes," stated the Secretary of State.
In mid-March, Rubio cautioned that the economic reforms introduced by Díaz-Canel are insufficient to address the deep crisis the country is facing. In his view, the problem is structural and lies within a system that has proven to be unworkable for decades.
Criticism of Cuba's Economic Model
"The bottom line is that their economy doesn't work," he noted. On that occasion, he also reminded that the Cuban model has historically relied on external subsidies, initially from the Soviet Union and later from Venezuela, but they no longer have external support.
That same week, Rubio refuted a report from the New York Times about the transition in Cuba, where multiple sources claimed Washington had proposed the removal of Miguel Díaz-Canel as a condition for advancing negotiations with the Cuban regime.
"The reason so many American media outlets continue to publish fake news like this is because they keep relying on conmen and liars who claim to be well-informed as their sources," he wrote on his X profile.
From Washington, the Trump administration has maintained a strict stance towards the Cuban regime, emphasizing the need for a political transition that ends the military and Communist Party's control.
So far, no additional details have been provided about the specific actions the U.S. government is developing concerning Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Policy on Cuba
What is Marco Rubio's stance on reports about Cuba?
Marco Rubio dismisses any reports on Cuba not originating from him or President Trump as false, emphasizing that they are the only ones with verified information.
Why does Rubio criticize Cuba's economic model?
Rubio criticizes Cuba's economic model as unviable, noting its historical reliance on external subsidies which are no longer available.
How has the Trump administration approached the Cuban regime?
The Trump administration has taken a tough stance on the Cuban regime, advocating for a political transition that removes control from the military and Communist Party.