The Embassy of the United States in Cuba stated that Washington will continue to work to secure the return of all Americans unjustly detained abroad, including those located on the island.
The statement was published on the social media of the diplomatic mission in Havana, which shared excerpts from a speech delivered on March 9 by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a ceremony at the Department of State dedicated to Americans held hostage or unjustly detained in various countries.
In his remarks, Rubio reiterated the U.S. administration's commitment to the return of its citizens.
“We will not stop until all wrongfully detained Americans return to the country,” stated the head of U.S. diplomacy.
Although Rubio's speech focused on the global situation of Americans detained abroad, the embassy in Havana emphasized that the U.S. government's commitment also extends to citizens who remain in custody in Cuba, reiterating that Washington will continue to work for their return.
Reaction of María Elvira Salazar
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar reacted to the publication from the U.S. embassy and supported the message disseminated by the State Department.
"Hostage diplomacy will no longer be tolerated," he wrote on social media.
Salazar also highlighted that Rubio has designated regimes such as Iran and the Taliban-governed Afghanistan as "states that sponsor unjustified detentions."
"The message from the Trump administration is clear: return our people home or face the consequences," he stated.
"Return home"
Rubio's speech took place during the commemoration of the Day of Hostages and Wrongfully Detained Persons in the United States, a day dedicated to remembering American citizens held abroad and supporting their families.
During the ceremony, the Secretary of State emphasized that the central goal of the U.S. government's efforts is to secure the return of those who remain detained outside the country.
"The essence of this mission can truly be summarized briefly, and that summary is 'returning home,' bringing people together with their loved ones," she stated.
Rubio also highlighted that bringing back unjustly held Americans has become a priority for the current administration.
According to what was stated, since the inauguration of President Donald Trump just over a year ago, more than 100 American citizens have returned to the country after being detained abroad.
"The president has made the return of Americans unjustly detained abroad a priority for his Administration," he stated.
Warning against "hostage diplomacy"
The Secretary of State also criticized what he described as the use of American citizens as a tool for political pressure by certain governments.
Rubio stated that the United States seeks to end the cycle in which Americans are treated as a "commodity" that can be used to gain diplomatic or political concessions.
"The United States will not tolerate hostage diplomacy," he declared. As part of this strategy, Washington has begun to designate governments that, according to the U.S. administration, use arbitrary detentions as a tool of pressure.
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