Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, launched a scathing critique of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing him of corruption and a profound misunderstanding of Cuba. In an interview with the Associated Press, Rodríguez emphasized that Rubio, a Cuban American, has aggressively pursued a “maximum pressure” campaign against the island nation that he believes undermines U.S. national interests.
Rodríguez claimed that Rubio’s actions are driven by a “very personal and corrupt agenda,” suggesting that the Secretary of State’s approach is not in line with the broader diplomatic goals of the United States. He noted that the Trump administration’s decision to redesignate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism occurred shortly after President Biden lifted that designation, reflecting a shift in policy that Rodríguez attributes to Rubio’s influence.
Despite the stringent measures imposed by the Trump administration, which included new restrictions on Cuban tourists and the revocation of protected status for around 300,000 Cubans in the U.S., Rodríguez expressed that his criticism is directed more at Rubio than at former President Trump himself. He remarked that Trump “portrays himself as an advocate of peace,” while accusing Rubio of advocating for the use of force or threats as standard diplomatic practices.
Rodríguez also highlighted Rubio’s lack of direct experience with Cuba, asserting, “The current secretary of state was not born in Cuba, has never been to Cuba, and knows nothing about Cuba,” aiming to question Rubio’s authenticity and authority on the matter.
This dialogue underscores the ongoing tensions between U.S. foreign policy and Cuban leadership, as well as the complex relationship stemming from the Cuban American community’s influence in American politics. The comments from Rodríguez suggest a hope for more nuanced and informed discussions regarding U.S.-Cuba relations in the future.