Florida Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar voiced her support on Tuesday for Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statements concerning Cuba, delivering a powerful message on her X account: "No economic change in Cuba without political change."
Salazar's response followed an interview Rubio gave on Tuesday to Fox News, where he criticized the Cuban regime's leaders as "economically inept" and stressed that while economic reforms could improve conditions in Cuba, the current leadership is not capable of implementing them.
In the same interview, Rubio accused the regime of welcoming adversaries to operate on Cuban soil against U.S. national interests without consequence.
Expanding on her remarks, Salazar highlighted that the Cuban crisis is "not an accident," but rather "a direct result of a regime that has failed its people for decades," emphasizing that for the current rulers, "power is their only business."
Rubio's Consistent Stance on Cuban Governance
This is not the first instance of Rubio expressing such views. On April 1, he had already stated on Fox News that economic improvement in Cuba is impossible under the current system, bluntly asserting: "There literally is no economy in Cuba" and "you cannot fix their economy without changing their system of governance."
Salazar has consistently maintained a similarly firm position throughout the year. In March, she declared that negotiations with Cuba are futile without the removal of Castro, and on April 17, she warned Díaz-Canel that even leaders like Maduro, who vowed not to relent, eventually fell.
Economic Collapse and International Tensions
The backdrop to these statements is one of ongoing economic decline. Cuba's GDP has plummeted by 23% since 2019, with the Economist Intelligence Unit forecasting a further contraction of 7.2% by 2026.
Following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Cuba lost between 80% and 90% of its Venezuelan oil imports, leading to power outages lasting up to 25 hours a day in some areas of the island.
An overwhelming 80% of Cubans believe the current situation is worse than the Special Period of the 1990s, according to data from the administration's dossier.
Amidst this, the regime announced a pardon for over 2,000 prisoners on April 3, but the organization Prisoners Defenders pointed out that none were political detainees. Both Rubio and Salazar dismissed the measure as inadequate.
Upcoming Diplomatic Pressure
On April 20, President Donald Trump demanded the release of high-profile prisoners like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo within two weeks, setting May 4, 2026, as a potential flashpoint in U.S.-Cuba relations.
In February, Rubio had outlined the model Washington seeks for Cuba: political and economic freedom, expansion of the private sector, genuine private ownership, and direct access to international trade without state-run intermediaries such as GAESA.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations and Economic Reforms
What are the main factors contributing to Cuba's economic crisis?
Cuba's economic crisis is largely attributed to the failures of its socialist regime, the collapse of GDP, and the loss of Venezuelan oil imports following the international capture of Nicolás Maduro.
How have U.S. politicians reacted to the situation in Cuba?
U.S. politicians like Marco Rubio and María Elvira Salazar have been vocal in their criticism of the Cuban regime, advocating for political change as a precondition for economic improvement.
What changes does the U.S. propose for Cuba?
The U.S. proposes political and economic freedoms, expansion of the private sector, genuine private ownership, and direct trade access without state intermediaries.