Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, accused the United States government of behaving like a "terrorist and criminal state" on Saturday. He claimed that its actions are "blatantly criminal and aggressive," posing a threat not only to Cuba but also to international peace and any nation at odds with Washington.
In a bold move, the diplomat shared his accusation on his verified account on X, posing a question: "Do these actions truly reflect the will and interests of the majority of U.S. citizens?"
This statement comes amidst increasing pressure from Washington towards Havana in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Calls for Change in Cuba
On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio openly called upon Cubans striving for "positive change" on the island to form a "discreet partnership with the CIA."
Simultaneously, President Donald Trump, during a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, threatened to position a U.S. warship "50 yards off the Cuban coast" upon its return from operations in Iran and announced plans to send Rubio to "seal the deal."
On Saturday, the CIA's official Instagram account shared a seven-step guide in Spanish for Cuban citizens to contact them securely and anonymously, with tips on using VPNs, incognito browsing, disposable emails, and clearing browsing history.
Cuban Response to U.S. Actions
The CIA stated in its message, "The CIA wants to know the truth about Cuba, and we are looking for trustworthy individuals to communicate this truth. Your information may be more valuable than you think."
Fernández de Cossío responded to this guide with sarcasm in another post: "Now the U.S. is publicly recruiting for the CIA," adding that "there must be much desperation or poverty within the agency’s ranks when it has to market its offers like toothpaste."
The Cuban regime responded collectively. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla warned, "Our shores have beautiful beaches, but also 'diente de perro,' inhospitable for those arriving with hostile intentions and dreams of domination."
Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel asserted that "the U.S. government makes it clear it does not abandon its ambitions for domination over Cuba," reaffirming January 1, 1959, as the true date of Cuban independence.
International Reactions and Implications
International analysts described the coordinated and public action between the State Department and the CIA as unprecedented; it marks the first time a Secretary of State has openly called for the recruitment of informants in a foreign country through social media.
The "state terrorism" rhetoric is not new to the regime's discourse. Fernández de Cossío previously used this accusation, and the MINREX employed it in January following Trump's executive order declaring a "national emergency" over the Cuban threat.
This escalation occurs just four days before the annual UN vote on the resolution calling for the end of the embargo, scheduled for October 28, where Cuba anticipates a significant drop in support: 165 votes in 2025 compared to 187 in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S.-Cuba Relations
What actions has the U.S. taken against Cuba recently?
Recently, the U.S. has increased pressure on Cuba, including calls from Secretary Marco Rubio for Cubans to partner discreetly with the CIA and President Trump's threats involving the positioning of a U.S. warship near Cuban shores.
How has the Cuban government responded to U.S. actions?
The Cuban government, through officials like Carlos Fernández de Cossío and Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, has criticized the U.S., accusing it of being a "terrorist and criminal state," and responded with warnings against hostile intentions.