On Tuesday, Marco Rubio captured a moment of high symbolic significance by posing for a photograph with General Francis L. Donovan, the commander of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), against a prominent reference map of Cuba. This took place during the 2026 Chiefs of Mission Conference held in Doral, Florida.
SOUTHCOM shared these images on its official account, showcasing Rubio shaking hands with General Donovan in front of the Cuba map, alongside American flags and military plaques. The phrase "Peace Through Strength!" was projected on a screen during Rubio's opening remarks.
Rubio attended the event in his dual roles as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, a concentration of power previously only held by Henry Kissinger, according to the dossier. The conference, spanning from May 5th to 7th, brought together senior U.S. government officials, diplomatic mission heads from American embassies across Latin America and the Caribbean, and leaders from the Department of War.
The purpose of the gathering, as described by SOUTHCOM, was to "advance the objectives of the National Security Strategy in the hemisphere," including collaborative efforts to combat narcoterrorism and prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in the region.
Among the attendees was Mike Hammer, the U.S. mission chief in Cuba, who stated to Telemundo in February that "there will be change in 2026" and that "the dictatorship will end," adding that "the Cuban revolution has failed."
The appearance of the Cuba map in the background is no coincidence. Just days earlier, Trump signed a new executive order expanding sanctions against the regime in the energy, defense, mining, and financial services sectors.
On May 1st, Trump declared that the U.S. would "take Cuba almost immediately" after wrapping up operations in Iran, reiterating the threat in a Monday interview with Salem News Channel. He described the island as "devastated right now, completely devastated" and asserted it would be "an honor to liberate it."
Rubio, meanwhile, told Fox News in April that he anticipates "Cuba will fall soon" and emphasized that "you can't fix their economy if you don't change your system of government."
General Donovan acknowledged to Congress in March that SOUTHCOM has contingency plans for a potential mass exodus from Cuba, including setting up camps at the Guantánamo Naval Base, though he formally dismissed any invasion plans.
In response, the regime continues its rhetoric of defiance. On May 3rd, Díaz-Canel warned delegates from 36 countries about the "imminence of a U.S. military aggression" and invoked the "War of All the People" doctrine, declaring that "every Cuban has a rifle" and a designated defense position.
The accumulated pressure since January 2026—over 240 sanctions and at least seven tankers intercepted—has reduced Cuba's energy imports by 80% to 90%, leading to blackouts lasting up to 25 hours in more than 55% of the territory. Rubio is set to visit the Vatican on May 7th to meet with Pope Leo XIV, with Cuba being a key topic on the agenda, marking another chapter in Washington's maximum pressure strategy on Havana.
Key Developments in U.S.-Cuba Relations
What role did Marco Rubio play in the Chiefs of Mission Conference?
Marco Rubio attended the conference as both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, positions that allowed him to influence discussions on advancing U.S. strategies in the hemisphere.
How has the U.S. increased pressure on Cuba recently?
The U.S. recently expanded sanctions against Cuba in several sectors, including energy and defense, while intercepting tankers and contributing to significant reductions in Cuba's energy imports.
What has been the response from the Cuban regime?
The Cuban regime has responded with rhetoric of resistance, warning of potential U.S. military aggression and emphasizing its preparedness through the "War of All the People" doctrine.