On Saturday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla took to X to counter comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently chaired an international conference in Washington aimed at addressing left-wing terrorism. During this event, Rubio directly accused the Cuban regime of being the world's leading sponsor of such activities.
In his X post, Rodríguez flipped the accusation, employing a familiar tactic used by the regime: historical victimization, counter-accusation, and evasion of specific allegations.
Rodríguez claimed that Rubio "deliberately ignores the protection afforded in U.S. territory to those who finance, organize, instigate, and train for terrorist acts against Cuba, primarily in the state of Florida, coincidentally Rubio's own state."
He reiterated official figures provided by the regime, although these lack independent verification: 3,478 Cubans killed and 2,099 disabled, allegedly due to "terrorists protected by the U.S. government," along with over 600 purported assassination attempts on Fidel Castro "organized and funded even by the CIA."
The foreign minister also referenced a February 2026 incident, in which a Florida-registered vessel was intercepted in Cuban waters near Cayo Falcones, Villa Clara. Aboard were ten individuals armed with assault rifles, bullet-proof vests, and incendiary devices, resulting in four fatalities and six arrests. Rodríguez rhetorically asked, "How was it possible for a terrorist commando, equipped with war-grade weapons and powerful explosives, to prepare, train, and set sail for Cuba freely just months ago?"
His message concluded with another rhetorical query: "Who are the real terrorists?"—a phrase encapsulating the regime's standard strategy when faced with U.S. pressure: shifting focus without addressing the allegations.
The immediate catalyst was the ministerial conference Rubio led on Wednesday, attended by representatives from over 70 countries. During this conference, Rubio declared that "the extensive intelligence and ideological network of the Cuban regime helped build the far-left in our country and hemisphere and remains intricately linked to leftist groups and movements both within and beyond the West."
Rodríguez's response is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained verbal escalation throughout 2026. On July 15, he labeled the conference as "McCarthyist" and based on "lies." Earlier, on July 2, he called Rubio "a liar," "dishonest, and deceitful" during an interview with CNN en Español. On July 1, he warned that any U.S. military action against Cuba would result in a "bloodbath."
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío added his perspective, describing the ministerial conference as a "smokescreen" intended to distract from the Republicans' unfavorable electoral climate.
What the regime consistently neglects to mention is Cuba's documented history as a sponsor of armed groups. The country was on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism from 1982 until 2015, was re-added by Trump in 2021, removed by Biden, and then re-included on January 20, 2025, the day Trump resumed the presidency. State Department reports confirm that Cuba has granted refuge and logistical support to members of the FARC and the ELN, with the ELN maintaining representatives in Havana.
Throughout 2026, the Trump administration has enacted over 240 new sanctions against Cuban entities, including the Rapid Response Brigades, the Ministry of Tourism, the MINFAR, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, and the ICAP, along with personal sanctions against President Miguel Díaz-Canel and relatives of Raúl Castro.
Key Questions Regarding Cuba's Alleged Support for Leftist Groups
What accusations did Marco Rubio make against the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio accused the Cuban regime of being the principal global sponsor of leftist terrorism during an international conference held in Washington.
How did Bruno Rodríguez respond to Rubio's accusations?
Bruno Rodríguez responded by accusing the U.S. of protecting individuals who finance and organize terrorist acts against Cuba, particularly in Florida, and questioned who the real terrorists are.
What is the historical context of Cuba's involvement with armed groups?
Cuba has been previously listed as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and has provided refuge and support to groups like the FARC and ELN, with confirmed representatives in Havana.