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In recent years, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the Cuban regime, which he has repeatedly identified as a direct threat to the national security of the United States.
Rubio, who comes from a family of Cuban immigrants, has advocated multiple times for a regime change in Cuba and has warned about the risks it poses both to the Cuban people and to regional stability.
As rumors point to Rubio as a possible future Secretary of State in the new administration of Donald Trump, CiberCuba highlights some statements from the Cuban-American senator that have made headlines in this outlet.
"A threat to the national security of the U.S."
In one of his recent statements, Rubio claimed that the Cuban regime is “a direct threat to the national security” of the United States.
In August 2024, alongside his colleague Rick Scott, he introduced a resolution in the Senate condemning the Cuban regime for its role in facilitating the presence of hostile actors such as China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela on Cuban soil.
"The geographical proximity and Cuba's alignment with our adversaries pose a risk that we cannot ignore," Rubio said in an official statement.
Criticism of repression in Cuba and support for the opposition
The senator has also been clear in his support for the Cuban opposition and in his condemnation of the repressive tactics of the Cuban government.
In October 2021, Rubio criticized the response of Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime to the call for a peaceful march on the island: “Every day the regime sinks further into its cowardice”, Rubio stated, referring to the prohibition of the protest and the threats from the Cuban government against those who planned to attend.
Rubio has emphasized several times his support for Cuban activists who, in his view, are fighting "bravely" for democratic change on the island.
In 2021, he called on the United States government to increase pressure on the Cuban regime and to avoid any actions that could be interpreted as support for the current system on the island: “The Cuban regime has repeatedly shown that it will not respect human rights. All support must be conditioned on genuine democratic changes.”
The Cuban regime and the economy
Marco Rubio has also criticized the economic policy of the Cuban regime on multiple occasions, pointing out that it prioritizes the interests of the government over the needs of the population.
In a statement in October 2021, the senator expressed: “While the Cuban people suffer from a shortage of basic goods, the government invests in luxury hotels and resorts”.
Rubio argued that this disconnection between the regime's priorities and the people's needs is evidence of the government’s lack of interest in the well-being of its citizens.
Additionally, Rubio has warned that foreign investments in Cuba do not benefit the general population; rather, they are designed to enrich a political elite.
In 2023, the senator urged international companies to refrain from collaborating with the Cuban regime without assurances that their investments would directly benefit the people: “Every dollar that enters Cuba through foreign investments ends up in the pockets of the Cuban elite, not in those of the citizens who need it.”
Criticism of the policies of rapprochement towards Cuba
Rubio's stance on U.S.-Cuba relations has been clear-cut. For him, any attempt at rapprochement that is not contingent upon democratic reforms is a mistake.
In May 2024, the senator expressed his concern about the Biden administration's plans to relax restrictions on Cuba, arguing that such concessions only “strengthen the oppressive regime and undermine the opposition”.
Rubio emphasized that any opening must be accompanied by a clear commitment from the Cuban regime to democracy and human rights.
In Rubio's words: “As long as there is no freedom in Cuba, the United States must maintain a firm stance. Every concession made to the Cuban regime is a betrayal to those who fight for freedom on the island.”
This stance reflects their belief that any type of assistance or cooperation with Cuba must be accompanied by strict conditions that ensure significant improvements in the rights and freedoms of the Cuban people.
Marco Rubio and the Future of Cuba
Rubio has stated that the future of Cuba depends on a change of government that allows for the democratization of the island and respect for human rights. For him, this is not only a matter of justice for the Cuban people but also of national security for the United States.
The Cuban-American senator remains one of the most influential voices in the Senate regarding policies toward Cuba, and his critical stance on the regime and engagement policies has made him a reference point for those advocating a stricter approach to bilateral relations with the island.
As tensions in the region escalate and the ties between Cuba and nations opposed to the United States remain strong, Rubio continues to advocate for policies that, in his view, will strengthen the Cuban opposition and weaken the regime.
His statements and actions in the Senate, along with his persistent call to the international community to join in the fight for freedom in Cuba, make it clear that Rubio believes that the democratization of the island is essential for the well-being of Cubans as well as for the stability of the region.
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