Amid the questionable immigration policies of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that mass migration has historically been used as a geopolitical weapon against the United States, and cited the Mariel exodus of 1980 as a clear example of this tactic.
During an interview on the podcast Triggered with Don Jr., hosted by Donald Trump Jr., Rubio recalled how Fidel Castro, in a deliberate act, allowed approximately 125,000 Cubans to leave, including criminals and psychiatric patients, as a way to pressure Washington.
“It’s not something unprecedented. In 1980, Fidel Castro opened his mental institutions, released prisoners, and basically flooded the United States with criminals from Cuba. We paid a very high price for that,” stated the head of U.S. diplomacy.
Rubio, of Cuban origin, also criticized the immigration policies of past administrations, which he claimed aimed to keep regimes like those in Cuba, Nicaragua, or Venezuela "calm" at the expense of ignoring their hostility towards the U.S.
"Now we want to be friends with our allies, with our true partners," he emphasized.
In this regard, he explained that the current foreign policy seeks to align with allied governments that share democratic values with the U.S. while also clearly identifying the countries whose regimes are declared enemies, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Regarding the situation at the southern border, Rubio stated that it is "safer than ever during his lifetime," thanks to the measures implemented by President Trump.
He assured that "no one is crossing" and that many people trying to reach the U.S. have been stranded in countries like Mexico due to the tightening of immigration policies.
The official also praised Mexico for its cooperation in deploying a record number of National Guard troops to curb migration flows toward the U.S. border.
Rubio referred to a misconception about the right to immigrate: “There is a belief ingrained in the American mindset that coming to the U.S. is a universal right, that everyone has the right to enter, legally or illegally. That is simply not true. It never has been,” he stated.
Regarding Venezuela, Rubio was emphatic in stating that the regime of Nicolás Maduro “is not a legitimate government,” but rather a “narcoterrorist organization with links to Iran and drug trafficking.”
He stated that if there were free elections in the South American nation, Maduro would lose — as supposedly happened in the 2024 elections — and asserted that the leader remains in power "by killing and imprisoning those who disagree with him."
The statements from the Secretary of State come in a context of migratory tensions and renewed firm stances from the Trump administration regarding national security and foreign relations.
Frequently asked questions about migration as a political weapon and Marco Rubio's stances
Why does Marco Rubio believe that mass migration is used as a political weapon?
Marco Rubio asserts that mass migration has historically been used as a tool of geopolitical pressure against the United States. He cited the case of the Mariel boatlift in 1980, when Fidel Castro allowed thousands of Cubans, including criminals and individuals with psychiatric issues, to leave in order to pressure Washington.
What is Marco Rubio's stance on the regimes in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua?
Rubio describes these regimes as "enemies of humanity" due to their violations of human rights and political repression. He criticizes their political and economic ineffectiveness as causes of the migration crisis in the hemisphere, asserting that they have forced millions of people into exile.
How has the Cuban government responded to Marco Rubio's accusations?
The Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has rejected Rubio's statements, blaming the United States for the Cuban exodus due to the economic blockade. Díaz-Canel argues that the tightening of the blockade deprives the Cuban people of essential goods and uses it as justification for the internal situation in the country.
What measures has the Trump administration taken regarding migration at the southern border of the U.S.?
According to Marco Rubio, the southern border is "safer than ever" thanks to the policies implemented by Trump, which include tightening immigration measures and cooperating with Mexico to deploy troops at the border. Rubio stated that these policies have significantly reduced illegal crossings and have left many migrants stranded in countries like Mexico.
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