Rubio urges Cubans to form quiet alliances with CIA
The State Department leader linked the call for cooperation to new sanctions and a U.S. naval presence near the island.
By Layla Fontaine ·
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked Cubans seeking political reform to build direct ties with the Central Intelligence Agency. He made the call on X on Friday, marking a new phase in the Trump administration's effort to alter the leadership in Havana.
Rubio cited the "disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few" as reasons for action. He urged readers to "seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA." The agency reposted his message and shared a Spanish version that included a video outlining how to make contact.
The request arrives as economic pressure on the island intensifies. The U.S. government imposed new sanctions on Cuba's state-run bank last week, citing connections to Iran. These measures add to a long-standing embargo that has driven up prices for basic goods and reduced access to medical services. Reports indicate that citizens have waited hours in lines for bread and doctor appointments.
President Trump discussed the situation at a campaign rally in South Florida on Friday. He referenced U.S. Navy warships currently deployed near the Strait of Hormuz and said, "We'll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran." Trump described a scenario where one of the ships would stop about 50 yards off the Cuban coast. He said the crew would raise their hands, allowing Rubio to enter and "finish up the deal."
Cuba's government responded quickly to the U.S. statements. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla posted on X on Friday, rejecting what he called threats born from U.S. ambitions. He noted that the island's coastline, while beautiful, is "also rugged and inhospitable to those who arrive with hostile intentions and a desire for domination."
The diplomatic exchange highlights the rising tension between the two governments. Washington continues to combine economic measures with public calls for internal coordination. Havana maintains a defensive posture, emphasizing the natural difficulty of approaching its shores with hostile intent.
