Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of promoting a tightening of U.S. sanctions against the island.
"There is a gray figure for us within the current administration, Marco Rubio, who is closely aligned with the Miami mafia and is pushing for the current administration to intensify the blockade. We are prepared to overcome that intensification with the talent of the Cuban people, intelligence, and a lot of effort," said the Cuban leader in an interview that will be broadcast this Tuesday on the government program Mesa Redonda.
The statement is part of a conversation with intellectuals Pascual Serrano, Javier Couso, José Manzaneda, and Carlos Penalva, which will be broadcast tonight as part of a communication campaign by the government to strengthen its narrative in response to the increasing sanctions from Washington.
The regime's criticisms of Rubio come after the United States expanded visa restrictions against Cuban officials, in response to what it considers "forced labor" practices in the island's international medical missions.
The measure, promoted by the State Department and publicly supported by Marco Rubio, also affects the immediate family members of those involved in these programs.
The chancellor Bruno Rodríguez described the decision as an “aggression” against the Cuban people and accused the new Secretary of State of putting his “personal agenda” ahead of the interests of the United States. According to Rodríguez, this would be the seventh hostile measure taken against Cuba in just a month.
Rubio defended the policy, stating that the objective is to “promote accountability of the Cuban regime for oppressing its people” and “to exploit medical professionals under forced labor conditions.”
The policy is part of a series of measures initiated during the administration of Donald Trump, including Cuba's reinstatement on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the strengthening of the embargo, and immigration restrictions such as the humanitarian parole program.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government denounces an economic and political blockade that exacerbates the internal crisis, characterized by scarcity, inflation, mass migration, and increasing social discontent.
However, for many international observers, the Havana regime continues to use the embargo as a justification to repress civil rights and avoid genuine democratic reforms.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sanctions on Cuba and Díaz-Canel's Statements
Why does Miguel Díaz-Canel blame Marco Rubio for the sanctions on Cuba?
Miguel Díaz-Canel blames Marco Rubio because he considers him responsible for pressing to tighten the blockade and the United States' sanctions against Cuba. Díaz-Canel describes Rubio as a "gray figure" who is influenced by what he refers to as the "Miami mafia," and he argues that these actions aim to escalate the embargo and worsen the situation on the island.
What measures has the United States taken against Cuban medical missions?
The United States has expanded visa restrictions for Cuban officials and third-country individuals involved in Cuban medical missions, labeling them as "forced labor." These measures aim to hold the Cuban regime accountable for exploiting medical professionals under coercive working conditions. Additionally, they impact the immediate family members of those involved in these programs.
What is the Cuban government's position on the sanctions from the United States?
The Cuban government denounces the sanctions as an unjustified aggression that affects the Cuban people. They argue that these measures are an attempt to destabilize the island and exacerbate the existing internal crisis. Furthermore, they defend medical missions as a human right to access healthcare and accuse the United States of trying to prevent it.
What does Marco Rubio think about Cuban medical missions?
Marco Rubio labels Cuban medical missions as an "atrocious practice" of labor exploitation. According to Rubio, Cuban doctors are sent abroad under coercive conditions, without receiving their salaries directly and with restrictions on movement, which amounts to a form of forced labor and human trafficking.
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