US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared Cuba to be a “national security threat” to the United States. He stated that the likelihood of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana is “not high”. This statement was made on Thursday, following the US’s accusation against former Cuban president Raul Castro for murder over the 1996 downing of two aircraft that killed US nationals.
Rubio also accused Cuba of being one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the region. However, these claims were rejected by Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, who accused Rubio of spreading “lies” and attempting to instigate a military aggression against the island. This latest exchange marks another escalation in tensions between the US and Cuba as the island faces severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and food scarcity during an ongoing economic crisis.
President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, calling Cuba a “failed country” and suggesting his administration could achieve what previous US presidents could not.