U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed Cuban citizens via video on Wednesday, criticizing the nation’s elite for corruption and proposing a new path with $100 million in food and medicine aid. This comes as U.S. officials prepare to announce an expected indictment of former President Raúl Castro.
Rubio targeted the politically-connected Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., or GAESA, alleging it controls 70% of Cuba’s economy and holds $18 billion in assets. He accused GAESA of profiting from remittances sent by Cubans abroad, retaining a percentage for themselves while denying citizens access to essential goods.
The blackout affecting most of Cuba due to the U.S.-imposed oil blockade has been ongoing for years, according to Rubio. The real reason for lack of electricity, fuel, or food is attributed to those controlling the country plundering billions without helping the populace.
Rubio emphasized that the $100 million aid must be distributed through charitable groups like the Catholic Church to prevent it from being siphoned off by GAESA. He also discussed ending communism in Cuba and offered a new path for U.S.-Cuba relations, emphasizing direct engagement with Cuban citizens rather than elite organizations.
The indictment of 94-year-old Raúl Castro is expected soon, following allegations related to the shooting down of two planes from a humanitarian group in 1996. Miguel Díaz-Canel currently serves as Cuba’s president and leader of the Communist Party.