In recent days, a video of Marco Rubio has begun to circulate on the Internet again, which, although it is from last year, is presented as if it were recent.
This is the message that the current United States Secretary of State sent to the Cuban people on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the massive protests on July 11, 2021, a date he defined as a turning point in the contemporary history of the Island.
The text was originally recorded in English and distributed with Spanish subtitles through Rubio's social media channels.
In it, the head of U.S. diplomacy reaffirmed his government's support for the cause of freedom in Cuba and explicitly condemned the Cuban regime.
From his very first words, Rubio emphasized his support for Cubans who continue to face a context of repression and shortages.
"I want to strongly express our support," he stated.
The official stated that July 11 marked "a change, a new era in what is happening in Cuba," and recalled when thousands of Cubans took to the streets to demand freedom and the end of the dictatorship.
Those images that traveled the world in 2021 continue to be a source of inspiration for both those living outside the Island and those who remain within, maintaining the hope for a different future for Cuba, she expressed.
A significant part of the message was devoted to highlighting the bravery of those who chose not to leave the country despite the repression.
Rubio acknowledged the risks of staying in Cuba and confronting a regime that does everything possible to punish individuals and their families, and to make their daily lives difficult.
He acknowledged that for many, opting for exile is simpler, and he emphasized the courage of those who continue to resist from within.
He also harshly described the situation facing the Cuban population: the scarcity of medications, electricity, and other essential resources, attributing it to the regime's inability to govern and manage a country, as its only interest is to stay in power.
Marco Rubio insisted that the Cuban people are not alone. He assured that they have the support of the U.S. Embassy and a large community in the United States that closely follows what is happening on the island.
He stated that the Cuban cause is defended in all possible spaces, both diplomatic and institutional, and that the sacrifice of those who fight within Cuba is constantly remembered.
The message concluded with an explicit reference to faith and hope.
The Secretary of State revealed that he prays every day for Cuba to be free, sovereign, and independent, and for the country's destiny to be in the hands of its own people. His remarks concluded with a blessing and an implicit call to keep the aspiration for change alive.
A key figure in U.S. foreign policy
The message carries particular weight due to Marco Rubio's position within the United States government.
Born in Miami on May 28, 1971, son of Cuban immigrants who arrived in the United States in 1956, Rubio is now one of the most influential figures in U.S. foreign policy towards Latin America.
Raised in a family environment of humble origins, marked by his parents' hard work, he studied at the University of Florida and earned his law degree from the University of Miami.
His political career began in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served as spokesperson from 2006 to 2010, and continued in the United States Senate starting that same year, establishing himself as one of the most respected voices in the Republican Party on national security and foreign policy issues.
In January 2025, he was unanimously confirmed as Secretary of State, becoming the first Hispanic to lead U.S. diplomacy.
Since then, it has articulated a foreign policy focused on confronting authoritarian regimes, defending Washington's strategic interests, and strengthening the role of the United States in Latin America.
His influence has been particularly felt in the Caribbean region and in countries like Venezuela, where his role as a principal advisor and promoter of sanctions and diplomatic pressure has been crucial in the current political transition.
Analysts agree that this scenario has strengthened their view of implementing a similar strategy towards Cuba.
Rubio has historically been one of the leading advocates for a tough stance against the Havana regime, promoting sanctions, the reinstatement of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, and a tightening of measures against the economic and military structures controlled by GAESA.
From his current position, he has become the primary executor of that vision from the pinnacle of American diplomacy.
Beyond politics, Rubio is regarded as a symbol for the Hispanic community in the United States, due to his personal story as the son of immigrants who reached one of the highest positions of power in Washington.
His message for the anniversary of 11J thus fits into a political trajectory characterized by a firm stance against the Cuban regime and the promotion of a free, sovereign, and independent Cuba.
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