Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to the White House podium on Tuesday, delivering one of his most pointed criticisms yet against the Cuban regime. He labeled it a government of "incompetent communists" that has turned the island into a "failed state."
Standing in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave, Rubio seized the moment to debunk a favored argument of the regime.
Addressing the regime's inability to resolve the ongoing crisis, Rubio was blunt: "The only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist. And that's exactly what we have: incompetent communists running that country. They have no idea how to fix it. They genuinely don't know."
Regarding the issue of oil, Rubio clarified, "There is no actual oil blockade against Cuba," explaining the reality behind the island's energy problems.
According to Rubio, Cuba used to receive free oil shipments from Venezuela, of which approximately 60% was resold for cash. These funds never benefited the Cuban people. "The only 'blockade' that occurred is that the Venezuelans decided to stop giving away free oil. And with today's oil prices, no one is handing out oil, especially not to a failed regime," he stated.
Repeated Criticism and National Security Concerns
This isn't the first time Rubio has used the phrase "incompetent communists." On March 27, he had already criticized the Cuban regime as the worst kind of communists while dismissing any limited economic reform agreements with Havana. He warned that "the economy needs to change, and it can't unless their system of governance changes."
Rubio framed the Cuban situation as a national security issue for Washington. "We have, just 90 miles off our coast, a failed state that is also a favorable territory for some of our adversaries. It's an unacceptable situation, and we will address it, but not today," he asserted.
Escalating Tensions Under Trump Administration
The remarks come amid heightened pressure from the Trump administration on Havana. Last Friday, President Trump signed a new executive order expanding sanctions against Cuba in the energy, defense, mining, and financial sectors, including secondary sanctions on foreign banks dealing with sanctioned Cuban entities.
Since January 2025, the administration has imposed over 240 sanctions against the regime and intercepted at least seven oil tankers, causing blackouts of up to 25 hours a day in more than 55% of Cuban territory.
On Sunday, Díaz-Canel warned delegates from 36 countries of an "imminent military aggression" from the United States, invoking the "Doctrine of All People's War," declaring that "every Cuban man and woman has a rifle."
On Tuesday, President Trump reiterated that "it would be an honor to liberate Cuba" and mentioned the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier off the island's coast.
Rubio, who has held the dual roles of Secretary of State and National Security Advisor since May 2025, concluded his remarks on Cuba with a clear but concise warning: "Things are going to change."
Understanding the U.S.-Cuba Relations and Sanctions
What did Marco Rubio say about the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio criticized the Cuban regime as "incompetent communists" who have turned the island into a "failed state."
Why does Rubio consider the Cuban situation a national security issue?
Rubio frames the Cuban situation as a national security issue because Cuba, as a failed state, is a favorable territory for adversaries of the United States, located just 90 miles off the U.S. coast.
What actions has the Trump administration taken against Cuba?
The Trump administration has implemented over 240 sanctions targeting Cuba's energy, defense, mining, and financial sectors, and intercepted oil tankers, resulting in significant blackouts on the island.