On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the historic protests of July 11, 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared on Saturday that "the Cuban regime and its corrupt elites continue to block any significant reform efforts."
This statement, released by the Department of State and echoed on Rubio's official account on the X platform, highlights the stubbornness of Cuba's leadership as the main hurdle in resolving the ongoing political, economic, and social crises on the island.
"To this day, hundreds of Cubans remain unjustly detained, enduring harsh conditions, simply for questioning why they cannot own businesses, engage in political processes, or provide for themselves and their families," Rubio remarked.
The chief U.S. diplomat further insisted that "the regime must immediately release these political prisoners" and reaffirmed that Washington will continue leveraging "all tools at its disposal" to promote democratic and economic changes in Cuba.
Stubbornness of the Cuban Leadership
The phrase concerning "corrupt elites" encapsulates a narrative Rubio has consistently maintained since shaping U.S. policy towards Cuba during the Trump administration. It asserts that the island's crisis stems not just from economic decline, but also from the ruling elite's refusal to implement reforms that might diminish their grip on power.
In previous statements, the Secretary of State has argued that Havana is aware of the necessary transformations to revive the economy, but refrains from executing them, fearing they would jeopardize the regime's political and economic control.
The Vision for a Democratic Cuba
Rubio has advocated for structural reforms as the only means to pull Cuba out of its crisis and prevent further economic collapse. This diagnosis aligns with the stance expressed by the Trump administration in recent months: sanctions aim to increase the cost for the ruling elite as long as repression persists and genuine political and economic openness is denied.
On Saturday, Rubio reiterated Washington's objective. "President Trump and I envision a brighter future for Cuba, where Cubans have greater opportunities, freedom, and dignity, and where Cuba ceases to host military, intelligence, terrorist, and subversive operations just 90 miles from U.S. shores," he declared.
Legacy of the July 11 Protests
The July 11, 2021 protests represented the largest social upheaval in Cuba in over six decades. Thousands took to the streets across various cities, demanding freedom, economic improvements, and an end to repression.
The regime's response was a sweeping crackdown, following the call from leader Miguel Díaz-Canel that "the combat order is given." Human rights organizations documented more than 1,400 arrests and hundreds of convictions against demonstrators.
Five years later, the plight of political prisoners remains central to U.S. policy toward Cuba. According to Prisoners Defenders, at least 338 individuals are still imprisoned for their involvement in the 11J demonstrations.
Despite a pardon announced by the regime on April 2, which saw the release of 2,010 inmates, those convicted of offenses such as contempt or assault against authority—charges frequently used against protest participants—were excluded.
Meanwhile, Washington has intensified pressure on economic structures controlled by the Cuban regime. In recent months, the Trump administration has imposed new sanctions on the military conglomerate GAESA and several of its key companies, emphasizing that the goal is to curtail the financial resources of an elite that, according to Rubio, "continues to block meaningful reform efforts."
Understanding the Current Cuban Crisis
What is the main obstacle to reforms in Cuba according to Marco Rubio?
According to Marco Rubio, the main obstacle to reforms in Cuba is the regime's leadership and its corrupt elites who resist any significant changes that might threaten their control over the island.
How has the U.S. responded to the situation in Cuba?
The U.S. has increased pressure on the Cuban regime through sanctions, aiming to incentivize political and economic reforms by raising the costs for the ruling elite as long as repression and lack of openness persist.
What were the July 11, 2021 protests about?
The protests on July 11, 2021, were the largest in Cuba in decades, with thousands demanding freedom, better economic conditions, and an end to government repression.