The Republican Senator Marco Rubio, nominated by Donald Trump as the next Secretary of State of the United States, during his hearing before the Senate this Wednesday denied any connection between the upcoming administration led by Donald Trump and the recent decision to lift sanctions on companies linked to the Cuban regime.
Rubio strongly criticized this measure and highlighted the serious political and economic situation facing the island, during the hearing broadcasted on the American channel C-SPAN.
According to Rubio, the regime has centralized economic resources through GAESA, a military conglomerate that controls everything that generates income in the country.
“Whenever something generates money in Cuba, they possess it and use it to ensure their grip on power,” stated the senator, referencing a recent investigation by the Miami Herald regarding the entity.
The senator recalled that, in 2017, under the Trump administration, GAESA was sanctioned to limit its economic capacity.
However, he lamented that the Biden administration lifted restrictions two years ago and that recently all sanctions have been removed.
“Ayer, the Biden administration announced that they were lifting all sanctions on GAESA,” Rubio denounced, asserting that this allows the regime to benefit economically while Cubans face blackouts of up to 21 hours and a collapsing economy.
Rubio described the situation in Cuba as unsustainable: “The country is literally collapsing, both generationally and economically. Young people are leaving the country, and the system doesn't work because Marxism doesn't work; they are corrupt and incompetent.”
According to the senator, the regime must choose between allowing Cubans to take control of their political and economic destiny or continuing to cling to power as the country crumbles.
Rubio concluded by stating that Cubans deserve the same political and economic rights enjoyed by citizens of other countries in the region.
"Cubans deserve the opportunity to choose their leaders and participate in political processes, something they have been unable to do for nearly 70 years," the Republican emphasized.
Also this Wednesday, during his hearing in the United States Senate, Rubio referred to the regime of Nicolás Maduro as a drug trafficking organization that has taken control of Venezuela.
The Republican also expressed his concern about Iran's growing influence in the South American country.
On the other hand, during his speech, Rubio highlighted the threats posed by narcoterrorism and dictatorial regimes in the western hemisphere.
Frequently asked questions about the sanctions on Cuba and Marco Rubio's stance
What has Marco Rubio stated about lifting sanctions on Cuba?
Marco Rubio has denied that the future Trump administration is linked to the lifting of sanctions on Cuba. During his Senate hearing, Rubio criticized the Biden administration's decision to remove sanctions on GAESA, a Cuban military conglomerate, and emphasized that these actions benefit the regime while the Cuban people are suffering from a severe economic crisis.
What is Marco Rubio's position on the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio is a fierce critic of the Cuban regime. He has repeatedly pointed to the Cuban government as a threat to the national security of the United States and has advocated for stricter sanctions. Rubio believes that the Cuban regime must allow citizens to participate in political and economic processes to prevent the total collapse of the country.
How does Marco Rubio's stance affect relations between the United States and Cuba?
Marco Rubio's stance could strain relations between the United States and Cuba. As the nominated Secretary of State, Rubio could enforce harsher sanctions and increase pressure on the Cuban regime, impacting diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
What implications does GAESA's presence in Cuba have according to Marco Rubio?
Marco Rubio believes that GAESA centralizes economic resources in Cuba to keep the regime in power. GAESA, a military conglomerate, controls a large portion of the country’s income, and Rubio criticized the removal of sanctions that limited its economic capacity, arguing that this harms the Cuban people and benefits the regime.
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