Would Marco Rubio Step Down if Trump Fails to Act on Cuba?

In a recent conversation with journalist Tania Costa, esteemed Cuban-American historian and researcher, Germán Miret, aged 86, expressed his belief that if Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not make headway in advancing Cuba's freedom, he might resign before the conclusion of Trump's presidency.

"Should he fail to contribute significantly, he might well step down before Trump’s term ends," Miret remarked while discussing the public debut of Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, also known as "El Cangrejo." As the grandson of Raúl Castro and a lieutenant colonel in MININT, he serves as an informal intermediary between the Cuban regime and the Trump administration.

Rubio's Deep Commitment to Cuba's Freedom

Miret emphasized that Rubio possesses a personal dedication to the Cuban issue, transcending mere foreign policy. "I believe Marco Rubio is deeply committed to Cuba's liberation, and if Trump doesn't act, then I dare say this, but it’s what I think," he stated.

Journalist Tania Costa also pointed out the political ramifications for Rubio if progress on the Cuban issue stalls. "If he doesn't, his career would be harmed by that as well," she noted.

Potential Presidential Ambitions and Political Pressure

While acknowledging the boldness of his prediction, Miret supported it by analyzing Rubio's profile. "Marco Rubio is there. He feels Cuban and intends to make a contribution," he observed. This interpretation gains weight considering Rubio is seen as a potential Republican presidential candidate for 2028. Since January 2025, he has spearheaded a policy of maximum pressure on the Cuban regime, introducing over 240 new sanctions, including recent ones targeting five entities linked to GAESA.

On May 7, Rubio had warned the regime that "we will not stand idly by" and that sanctions would persist until genuine political and economic reforms are achieved.

Future Prospects for Cuban Transition

During the interview, when asked by a viewer about the possibility of a Russian-style Cuban transition, referencing Trump’s admiration for Putin, Miret responded clearly: "I hope not. I don't know what the transition will look like. Nobody does."

Conversely, he expressed support for the Spanish transition model when another viewer suggested it as a reference for Cuba. "Agreed," he responded without hesitation.

Miret also countered those advocating for annexation as a solution for Cuba, dismissing the idea as "nonsense." "The vast majority of my friends, everyone I know, nobody wants annexation," he asserted, arguing that Cuba has proven its self-governance capability. "From 1952 to 1958, Cuba progressed immensely. No other country has progressed like that," he claimed.

He also highlighted the Cuban contribution to the United States as evidence of this capacity. "Miami was a retirement village until the Cubans arrived... Today, Miami is nearly the second economic capital of the United States," Miret concluded. "Cubans have the ability to govern themselves and to thrive."

The interview occurred shortly after El Cangrejo gave his first public interview, defending a supposed "Cuban economic model," which Miret outright dismissed, stating that he does not trust the regime's economic promises and believes the only real solution is to dismantle the current political system.