Rubio stated that Cuba poses a threat to the US, Havana accused him of lying
According to the US Secretary of State, the likelihood of a peaceful agreement with Cuba is "small", writes the BBC.
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
His remarks came just a day after the US charged former Cuban President Raul Castro with murder in connection with the 1996 downing of two planes, which killed US citizens.
Rubio stated that Washington prefers a "diplomatic solution", but warned that President Donald Trump has the right and duty to defend his country from any threat.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused Rubio of "lying" and stated that the island has never posed a threat to the US.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rubio said that diplomacy remains the most likely solution in relations with Cuba, but added: "Frankly, the probability of that, given who we are dealing with right now, is small."
He also accused Cuba of being "one of the leading sponsors of terrorism throughout the region," which Rodriguez categorically denied in his post on X.
The Cuban Foreign Minister criticized Rubio for attempting to "provoke military aggression" and accused the US government of "merciless and systematic" attacks on his country.
Cuba is suffering from a fuel crisis, exacerbated by the US oil blockade, and is under pressure from the Trump administration to strike a deal.
In recent months, citizens of the country have experienced prolonged power outages and food shortages.
Rubio stated that the country accepted the US offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid.
Trump has repeatedly tried to pressure Cuba and openly discussed overthrowing its communist regime.
The charges brought against the former Cuban president on Wednesday reminded many of the story of the Americans' capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
When asked by journalists whether — and how — his government intended to bring Castro to the US to face charges, Rubio replied: "I'm not going to talk about how we're going to bring him here. If we were trying to bring him here, why would I tell the press about our plans?"
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the US "expects him to appear here, voluntarily or otherwise."
Arrest of Adis Lastres Marrero
Later, the US Secretary of State announced the arrest of Adis Lastres Marrero, the sister of the head of the Cuban financial conglomerate GAESA.
"Marrero managed real estate and lived in Florida while simultaneously assisting Havana's communist regime, until I revoked her permanent resident status. I am pleased to announce that today she was arrested and is now in custody with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement," wrote Rubio on X.
He noted that GAESA is a financial conglomerate controlled by the Cuban military.
In 2020, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Cuban General Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja, Raúl Castro's son-in-law and head of GAESA.
The consortium includes about 50 hotels, chain stores, and construction companies. GAESA also controls the large Mariel port, located west of Havana.
Earlier, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that Cuba is a "dysfunctional country" and that his administration is trying to help them "on a humanitarian basis."
He said that Cuban-Americans "want to return to their country" and help Cuba succeed.
"Other presidents have looked at this issue for 50-60 years and done something, and it seems I will be the one to do it, so I will gladly do it," Trump said.
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