Alejandra Franganillo Highlights Marco Rubio's Personal Commitment to Cuba: "He Won't Give Up"

Alejandra Franganillo, an associate researcher with the Cuba Study Group, who formerly interned in the office of former Senator Marco Rubio, believes that the pressure on the Cuban regime will not diminish under the Trump administration. She attributes this steadfast approach to the personal commitment of the current Secretary of State.

Recent remarks from President Trump, which suggest a potential dialogue with Havana, prompted this discussion. In an interview with Tania Costa, Franganillo, originally from San Juan with Cuban heritage and a master's degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University, stated firmly: "I don't think things will cool down; I genuinely believe they will continue. Having met Rubio several times, I see him as an exceptional individual, deeply invested in and passionate about issues concerning Cuba and Venezuela."

Rubio's Strategic Approach to Cuba

Franganillo emphasized that Rubio's stance is deeply personal, especially concerning Cuba. "I believe it's personal for him, particularly with Cuba. I am convinced he won't abandon Cuba," she added.

One illustration of Rubio's effective policy, as highlighted by Franganillo, is the decision to restrict oil shipments to Cuba's private sector, deliberately bypassing state and military entities.

"After years of downplaying the private sector's existence, you have a Cuban-American Secretary of State declaring that only the private sector can handle oil," she noted.

Oil Policy and Private Sector Empowerment

This policy was enacted on February 25, 2026, when Washington announced it would allow the resale of Venezuelan crude to Cuba's private sector through specific licenses, explicitly excluding military, intelligence, or state entities. According to Reuters, nearly 30,000 barrels of fuel were sent to Cuba's private sector from the U.S. that year, primarily through the port of Mariel.

Advocating for Dialogue Over Military Intervention

Franganillo also championed dialogue as an essential tool, opposing those who favor military intervention: "While many may disagree, I believe dialogue is crucial. Rubio's approach of engaging with top officials and continuing conversations is necessary because military intervention could lead to less favorable outcomes."

Franganillo credits Rubio's strategy to his profound understanding of Cuba's reality. "I think Rubio is being highly strategic, aware of Cuba's dire state, as Trump described it—a country in ruins."

Increased Sanctions and Strategic Vision

This analysis comes amid an unprecedented escalation of sanctions against the Cuban regime. Since January 2026, the Trump administration has implemented over 240 restrictive measures and intercepted at least seven oil tankers. On May 7, Rubio announced direct sanctions against GAESA, the military conglomerate controlling between 40% and 70% of Cuba's formal economy, labeling it "the heart of Cuba's kleptocratic communist system."

Franganillo also pointed out that Cuba lacks the fundamental conditions for immediate transition: "Simply removing the government isn't enough. We need to build foundations, institutions, and civil society because we have political prisoners and the opposition is abroad."

"There isn't an organized opposition in Venezuela ready for Cuba's transition. That doesn't exist. Therefore, Cuba must progress step by step," she concluded, endorsing the Secretary of State's gradual roadmap, which outlines three stages: stabilization, reconstruction, and transition.

Rubio, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1956, assumed office on January 21, 2025, becoming the first Hispanic to lead U.S. diplomacy. Franganillo highlights this family connection as a reason why, in her view, Cuba will always be more than just a foreign policy issue for him.