US President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio Threaten Military Action Against Cuba
Washington DC. United States President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have issued a new warning that military action could be taken against Cuba.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday night, Rubio said that Cuba has long been a threat to the national security of the United States. He cited Cuba's relationship with anti-American powers Russia and China as the reason. Meanwhile, Trump has signaled that he may ultimately be the president to take action against Cuba.
The Trump administration, with Cuban-American Rubio at the forefront, has been increasing pressure on the communist-led island nation. The administration has taken steps, including an oil blockade, with the aim of bringing about a 'regime change,' which has pushed Cuba's economy to the brink of collapse.
This campaign has intensified in recent days. The United States has filed charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro and is also amassing military power in the Caribbean region.
Denying accusations of aiming to 'build a nation,' Rubio stated that the issue is related to 'national security.' He said that while a negotiated solution is America's 'priority,' the possibility of a diplomatic solution with Cuba is 'slim.'
Rubio said, 'Their economic system does not work. It is broken, and it cannot be fixed as long as the current political system remains.'
He said that for years, Cuba has adopted a strategy of 'stalling and tiring out the United States.' 'They can no longer win by stalling or waiting us out. We are very serious and focused,' he said.
On the other hand, President Trump told reporters that US presidents have been thinking about intervening in Cuba for decades. 'But it looks like I will be the one to do it,' he said. He also said he would be 'happy' to do so.
In response, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused Rubio of lying and portraying Cuba as a threat. 'The US Secretary of State is once again trying to incite military aggression by lying, which could shed the blood of both Cubans and Americans,' he said.
Since returning to power, Trump has imposed numerous sanctions on Cuba, implemented an oil blockade, and increased US military presence in surrounding areas.
Thursday's new threat comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries. The US filed charges against Raul Castro on Wednesday in connection with the downing of a plane in 1996.
On Thursday, Addis Lastre Moreira, a high-ranking official of the 'Group of Administration Imperial,' which is under Cuban military control and operates the country's largest economy, was arrested.
Just last week, further sanctions were imposed on the Cuban government. The US military announced on Wednesday that several naval ships, including an aircraft carrier, had been brought into the Caribbean region. These ships are said to be participating in naval exercises with Latin American partner nations.
Rubio had previously stated that Cuba had initially agreed to a $100 million aid offer in exchange for reforms. However, he said it was unclear whether Cuba's conditions would be accepted as the US wanted to provide aid while bypassing the military-backed group 'Gaza.'
Analysts have warned that Trump and Rubio are trying to replicate the 'regime change' strategy implemented in Venezuela in Cuba. Last January, Venezuelan leftist President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were arrested in a military operation and taken to the US, where Maduro was accused of 'narco-terrorism.'
Rubio claimed that Cuba poses a serious threat to US national security due to its security and intelligence relations with China and Russia.
Both China and Russia have criticized US pressure on Cuba.
China on Friday expressed 'firm support' for Cuba and urged the US to de-escalate tensions and 'stop threatening the use of force.' Similarly, Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, 'We believe that under no circumstances should such practices that reach the limit of violence be used against former or current heads of state.'
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
