In a new display of the official cynicism that characterizes the Cuban regime, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla lashed out on social media against the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, accusing him of "betraying" Cuban migrants who, according to Rodríguez, he himself encouraged to emigrate.
In a statement aimed more at distraction than debate, Rodríguez wrote on X: "The U.S. Secretary of State has gone from being a demanding and arrogant senator to becoming an echo and a prominent employee of the White House and the plutocracy that governs the U.S."
"He has betrayed those he encouraged to migrate, accusing them of being criminals and murderers. Has he sold his commitments to secure his current position?" he added, alongside a photo of ICE agents during an arrest.
The Cuban chancellor thus returns to his usual script of blaming the United States and its representatives for the woes afflicting Cubans, completely ignoring that his own government pushed more than half a million citizens into exile just in 2024, according to independent estimates by demographer Juan Carlos Albizu-Campos. The regime's official figure, as always, downplays the exodus and only acknowledges about 250 thousand emigrants.
Bruno Rodríguez, a representative of a system that since 1959 has turned mass emigration into a political escape valve, accuses Rubio of hypocrisy, while he himself represents a government that persecutes those who choose to leave the country, represses dissenting opinions, and expels young people from their jobs or universities for ideological reasons.
In March, Rodríguez had already called Rubio "corrupt, dull, and a blackmailer", and held him responsible for the "persecution" of Cuban migrants in the United States.
Her statements contrast with the reality that many Cubans who are now seeking to legalize their status in that country are doing so precisely because they have been repressed or marginalized by the system that Rodríguez represents.
In February, following the expansion of visa restrictions imposed by Washington on Cuban officials involved in international medical missions, Rodríguez once again criticized Rubio, accusing him of placing "his personal agenda above the interests of the United States."
The medical labor export program, which is nothing more than a form of covert labor exploitation, allows the regime to benefit financially while doctors are monitored and separated from their families—something that, in Rodríguez's view, is not an injustice at all.
But Marco Rubio argues that these visa restrictions on Cuban officials aim to curb the impunity of a system that oppresses, censors, and profits from its citizens.
In his role as Secretary of State, he has been emphatic that any rapprochement with Havana must be contingent upon real progress in human rights and democracy.
I have no intention of going to Havana with this regime in power, except to discuss when they are going to leave," he said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez maintains an arrogant and defiant stance. In February, he stated that the Republican politician "will be left wanting" to visit Cuba, and claimed that he "was not invited" because "he knows absolutely nothing about the country."
The rhetoric of the Cuban official aims to blame others for the collapse of a model that no longer offers a future for its people.
Accusing the U.S. Secretary of State of "betraying" Cuban migrants is grotesque when the real traitor to its citizens is a regime that forces them to flee in order to live with dignity.
The inconsistency of the attacks merely highlights the desperate attempt of the Cuban government to divert attention from its own structural failures.
On his part, Marco Rubio, one of the regime's staunchest critics, has stated that "Castrism poses a direct threat to the national security of the United States" and has advocated for multiple resolutions to sanction Havana for its ties to hostile powers like China, Russia, and Iran.
Rubio has also reiterated his support for the Cuban opposition and has demanded that any relief or negotiation with the regime be contingent upon verifiable democratic changes.
"The Cuban regime has repeatedly shown that it will not respect human rights," he stated in a declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bruno Rodríguez's Accusations against Marco Rubio
Why does Bruno Rodríguez accuse Marco Rubio of betraying Cuban migrants?
Bruno Rodríguez accuses Marco Rubio of betraying Cuban migrants by encouraging them to emigrate only to later, according to Rodríguez, advocate for mass deportation policies and label them as criminals and murderers. Rodríguez has pointed to Rubio as the main promoter of the persecution of Cubans in the United States, despite the fact that many of them entered legally and contribute economically and socially to the country.
What is Marco Rubio's stance on the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio is a fierce critic of the Cuban regime, which he views as a threat to the national security of the United States. He has advocated for sanctions against Havana due to its ties with hostile powers and has demanded that any negotiations with the regime be contingent upon verifiable democratic changes. Rubio argues that the measures taken by the U.S. government are necessary to hold the Cuban regime accountable for the exploitation and repression of its people.
What reasons does the Cuban government give for the massive exodus of Cubans?
The Cuban government blames the United States embargo and the Cuban Adjustment Act for fostering mass emigration, claiming that these policies encouraged people to leave the island under the promise of migratory benefits. However, experts point out that the true cause of the exodus is the internal crisis in Cuba, characterized by political repression, lack of freedoms, inflation, and shortages of basic goods.
How has Marco Rubio responded to the accusations from the Cuban regime?
Marco Rubio has defended U.S. policies as acts of accountability towards the Cuban regime, arguing that these measures are necessary to curb labor exploitation and repression on the island. Rubio has reiterated that the Cuban regime must change in order to improve bilateral relations and has emphasized his commitment to supporting the Cuban opposition and human rights.
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