Rubio Invites Cuba To Partner With CIA
The US Secretary of State suggested a secret collaboration with Havana's change seekers while the President revived a naval intervention plan.
By Ji-eun Choi ·
A new message from Washington has arrived in Havana with a distinct sense of urgency.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently posted on social media to Cubans who desire political transformation. He declared that the current moment is the right time to act. His comments followed a statement by President Donald Trump at a rally in south Florida. Trump suggested that American warships might intervene in Cuba upon their return from the Iran conflict. Rubio’s post targeted those seeking positive change and highlighted the frustration caused by broken promises and corruption. He encouraged a partnership with the CIA to achieve these goals.
The choice of words in Rubio’s message drew immediate attention. He described the collaboration as a discrete partnership. The word discrete typically means separate or distinct. It appears he intended to use discreet, which implies secrecy or privacy. This linguistic slip adds a layer of intrigue to a message that explicitly names the Central Intelligence Agency. Rubio’s parents left Cuba for the United States before the socialist revolution took hold. His intervention marks a shift from his recent public silence on the island's internal dynamics.
Trump reintroduced the idea of a naval presence after a crowd member asked about the island nation. The rally took place just days before midterm elections where voters expressed concern over rising prices for gas and groceries linked to the war in Iran. Trump envisioned a stopover for returning ships. He described vessels passing near the coast, with one stopping fifty yards offshore. He claimed the sailors would raise their hands before he sent Rubio to finalize the arrangement. This aggressive stance contrasts with his earlier unpredictability on the timeline for intervention.
Havana responded with sharp criticism on Friday. Deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio posted on X that the US was resorting to public recruitment for the CIA. He questioned the agency's desperation, comparing the effort to selling a tube of toothpaste. The exchange highlights the strained diplomatic relationship between the two governments. While senior US aides have met with Cuban officials to explore better relations, the American side has expressed dissatisfaction. This has led to additional sanctions despite Trump’s recent claims that a deal was close and military action might be avoided.
The backdrop for these developments is a deepening crisis in Cuba. The nation has struggled with economic and energy shortages since 2020. Its gross domestic product has shrunk, affecting ten million residents who face blackouts and food insecurity. Protests have emerged, and hundreds of thousands have emigrated, many to the United States. Rubio recently told Fox News that Cuba has already fallen, citing a lack of a functional economy. He expressed hope for a different path while insisting the US would not allow the island to become a base for adversaries. The current rhetoric suggests the administration is weighing diplomatic efforts against a more active role in shaping the island's future.
Open questions remain about the practicality of these plans. The timing of the naval intervention idea aligns with the anticipated end of the Iran war, a conclusion Trump has long predicted but which has not yet materialized. The administration has voiced a preference for a peaceful resolution but has doubted the current Cuban government's willingness to cooperate. As the midterm elections approach, the stakes for working families and regional stability continue to rise.
Source: The Guardian
