The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, warned this Wednesday that Washington is ready to assist with a transition in Cuba, but that those who speak on behalf of the Cuban government "appear to be quite intransigent" publicly, casting doubt on the regime's genuine willingness for change.
The statements were made in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly, and shared by the Department of State on its social media channels.
"The Cuban Revolution has failed. It has failed for over sixty years. It is a failure now. I believe there is recognition within the Cuban system itself that the revolution has failed," Rubio stated to the press.
The head of U.S. diplomacy pointed out that the regime has an opportunity before it that should not be missed: "They have a chance to make changes. They have an opportunity to begin to put their country on an irreversible path toward progress and a better future. And that involves both political freedom and economic freedom, without a doubt."
However, Rubio was clear about the limits of that willingness to engage in dialogue. According to NewsForce in a video from the press conference, the Secretary of State warned that there are figures within the Cuban apparatus "with whom we can never work because their hands are stained with blood," although he acknowledged that there are other individuals in the regime with whom it would be possible to collaborate if they are willing to steer the country towards political and economic freedom.
Rubio was also categorical about the economic outlook for the island under the current model: “No one will invest in Cuba under its current government model. They simply will not do it.” He argued that the lack of legal certainty for investors is the central obstacle, illustrating it with a direct example: “Why would I invest 10 million dollars in Cuba if in two years they can unilaterally decide to change the rules, take my investment, keep the money, and not return anything to me?”
Regarding the regime's credibility to fulfill commitments, it was equally emphatic: "There is simply no legitimacy or credibility to believe that this regime will meet those conditions, because it has never done so in the past."
Rubio also ruled out the possibility of any transformation being immediate: "More than sixty years of mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence cannot be reversed in six months," he noted, although he insisted that Washington will remain "involved in that matter" and open to measures that initiate the process of change.
In response to a question about the possibility of military action, the Secretary of State avoided speculation but issued a general warning: if there is a threat to the national security of the United States, "the president has both the power and the obligation to confront it."
Rubio's statements come a day after President Donald Trump described Cuba as a “failed state” during the General Assembly and predicted that the regime would "fall," which led to the Cuban delegation leaving the room in protest.
The chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla responded by labeling Trump's remarks as “falsehoods and slanders” and denied that there were any formal negotiations, agreements, or roadmaps between Washington and Havana, thus contradicting Trump's claims that Rubio was “deeply involved” in talks with the Cuban government.
Throughout 2026, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on more than 40 entities and at least 38 individuals linked to the Cuban military, energy, and financial sectors. The most recent round, announced on September 17, targeted eight entities and three individuals from the military and nickel sectors.
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