Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Cuban regime's vice minister, took to X this Sunday to accuse the United States government and Secretary of State Marco Rubio of spreading "falsehoods" about Cuba. He asserted that these untruths are also intended to mask what he described as an internal crisis within American society itself.
The state-run agency ACN reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) official argued that Washington's statements are not solely a means to justify its policies toward the island. Instead, they serve an additional purpose: attempting to explain the dissatisfaction that, according to Fernández de Cossío, exists within the American populace.
"The lies from the U.S. government and its Secretary of State regarding Cuba aren't just about justifying their unjustifiable aggression. They are also a deceitful attempt to explain the domestic discontent against injustice and abuse in a society in crisis," Fernández de Cossío posted on the social media platform.
According to ACN, the vice minister further noted that these statements are part of a strategy to obscure the effects of the coercive measures imposed on Cuba, which the regime claims are rejected by the international community.
Escalating U.S. Sanctions Against Cuba
His remarks come amidst a steady escalation of U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, enacted more than 240 restrictive measures against Cuba starting in January 2026. These included Executive Order 14404, signed on May 1, which expanded sanctions to the energy, defense, mining, and financial services sectors.
Between May and July, at least five rounds of designations were carried out. The most recent, on July 23, imposed new sanctions on nine entities and two individuals linked to the Cuban government.
Persistent Criticism from Havana
Fernández de Cossío has been a vocal critic of Washington during this period. On July 24, he described the sanctions as an "open war against the entire population," and on July 17, he accused the U.S. of being the "main source of terrorism" in the Western Hemisphere.
He also revealed on July 27 that Cuba had accepted a communication channel proposed by Washington. However, the process stalled because the U.S. demanded concessions related to Cuba's political system.
In an interview with the New York Times on July 31, Fernández de Cossío suggested that Trump-affiliated businesses could engage in commerce with the island, indicating that U.S. laws themselves are the real impediment.
Calls for Reform Amidst Economic Hardships
On July 11, Rubio urged Cuban leaders to enact "real reforms before it's too late," while Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated on June 30 that the sanctions were "causing deaths" in Cuba amidst shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and electricity.
This Sunday's statement adds a new dimension to the regime's communication strategy: portraying international pressure not as a consequence of its own policies, but as a symptom of an alleged internal crisis within American society.
Understanding the Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the new sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Cuba?
The recent sanctions include restrictions on nine entities and two individuals associated with the Cuban government, targeting sectors such as energy, defense, mining, and financial services.
How has Cuba responded to U.S. sanctions?
Cuban officials, including Vice Minister Fernández de Cossío, have criticized the sanctions, labeling them as aggressive actions against the Cuban populace and a tactic to obscure internal U.S. challenges.
What is the U.S. stance on reforms in Cuba?
U.S. officials, like Marco Rubio, have called for significant reforms in Cuba, suggesting that changes are necessary to address longstanding issues and improve conditions on the island.