The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated this Friday at the White House that Cuba has sustained itself for decades thanks to external “donors” — first the Soviet Union and, more recently, Venezuela — but emphasized that “that is over.”
In its diagnosis, the Cuban leadership prioritized political control over a functional economy and is now facing a scenario without that support.
"They have had their way for over 60 years because they have had donors, the Soviet Union and, more recently, Venezuela, but that's over now," Rubio said.
Rubio stated that the fundamental problem of Cuba is that it is led by “incompetent people” who “do not understand what an economy is, let alone one that works,” and that the regime has persisted because it has received external support for “more than 60 years.”
But, he insisted, those subsidies no longer exist, which puts those in control of Cuba faced with a dilemma: “to have a real country, with a real economy, where its people can thrive,” or “to continue with their failed dictatorship.”
In the same appearance, Rubio warned that if the Cuban government insists on "continuing with its dictatorship" —which he also described as "false" during that exchange— the result would be a "systemic and social collapse."
He clarified that the United States does not seek to "destabilize" Cuba, but attributed any potential destabilization to the regime's refusal to allow "economic or political freedom" for its people.
Rubio's statements came after President Donald Trump claimed that Cuba is "in bad shape", relying on Venezuela "for oil and money" and that now "they are not going to receive any money," in the regional context described following the intervention in Venezuela.
In parallel to the political message, recent analyses have highlighted the economic impact of the reduction of Venezuelan support on the island: the Cuban economy is under severe strain and indicates that the decline in support from Venezuela exacerbates blackouts and shortages, although it does not definitively conclude whether this will lead to a collapse of the government.
Rubio also mentioned the potential role of the diaspora: he said that in the United States there are "many people" who want to return to Cuba and help, citing emigrants who left "with nothing" and thrived, which he sees as an asset that—according to him—Cuba has and "many other places do not."
Donald Trump promised that his administration would seek ways to support Cubans residing in the United States who suffered under the Castro regime.
Trump addressed the political and economic situation in Cuba and its historical dependence on Venezuela, reiterating his intention to directly aid the Cubans living in the United States and the exile communities that have denounced persecution and human rights violations on the island for decades.
Although he did not provide specific details about concrete support programs or policies, his statement set a tone of support for the Cuban diaspora and their suffering under the Castro regime.
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