A photograph taken on July 19, 2003 during the funeral mass of Celia Cruz in Miami is circulating this week on social media and has sparked a wave of emotion among the Cuban-American community.
In the photo, a young man is seated among the crowd, with a fixed gaze and a serious expression. His name is Marco Rubio; he attended the final farewell of the "Queen of Salsa," and interestingly, he is today the 72nd Secretary of State of the United States.
The image was shared by Episcopal priest Father Alberto Cutié on his Instagram account, accompanied by the text: "I don't know if that young man sitting at Celia Cruz's Mass would have thought about it back in those days, but today he is our U.S. Secretary of State and is achieving great things for a free Cuba."
The post garnered more than 11,400 likes and 281 comments in less than 24 hours, with followers from various nationalities expressing pride in the Cuban-American who holds one of the most influential positions in the world.
Among the most notable comments, one person remarked: "Not only Cubans are proud of Marco Rubio, Father Alberto. All Hispanics, or the vast majority of Hispanics, are proud of our Secretary of State. May God continue to grant him wisdom, health, and strength to keep fighting for humanity."
Another follower wrote: "Just look at his gaze... it says EVERYTHING. May the Lord take care of him. Of him and all those who seek good."
The image also sparked reflections on the symbolism of the moment: "Her gaze says it all. Only Cubans can interpret that deep look in the face of Celia Cruz's physical death, a woman full of love for Cuba who never backed down," wrote another user.
Father Cutié, Rector of Saint Benedict Church in Plantation, Florida, and an influential media figure in the Hispanic community of southern Florida, emphasized in his post that pride in Rubio transcends partisan politics.
Rubio, born in Miami on May 28, 1971, and the son of Cuban immigrants, was confirmed as Secretary of State on January 20, 2025, with a historic vote of 99-0 in the U.S. Senate.
The photo holds special significance in the current context because in recent days, Rubio has intensified his stance against the Cuban regime. Last Wednesday, he described Cuba as a "failed state" and stated that its system "does not work and cannot be fixed if the same individuals remain in power."
On May 20th, Cuba's Independence Day, Rubio sent a direct message to the Cuban people offering a "new relationship" with the United States.
Celia Cruz, who never returned to Cuba after the Revolution's victory, passed away on July 16, 2003, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and became a symbol of resistance for the Cuban exile community. Her body was transported to Miami three days later for a funeral service that drew thousands of Cuban Americans before continuing to New York.
Several followers on Father Cutié's post went beyond the present and projected an even brighter future for Rubio: "He will be the president of the United States!" wrote one internet user, while another simply noted: "Future president!"
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