United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Cuba poses a “national security threat” to the US, while warning that the chance of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana is low. His comments come as tensions between Washington and Cuba continue to rise under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Rubio said diplomacy remains Washington’s preferred option, but he argued that the current Cuban leadership makes a negotiated solution difficult. He also said President Trump has the right and responsibility to protect the United States from any threat.
Cuba Accuses Rubio of Spreading Lies
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez strongly rejected Rubio’s claims, accusing him of spreading false statements and trying to create support for possible military aggression.
Rodríguez said Cuba has never posed a threat to the United States. He also denied Rubio’s accusation that Cuba is one of the region’s leading sponsors of terrorism.
Havana has accused Washington of using pressure, sanctions, and political accusations to weaken the Cuban government.
Raul Castro Indictment Adds to Tensions
Rubio’s remarks came one day after the US charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, an incident that killed US nationals. The indictment has further escalated already strained relations between the two countries.
When asked how the US would bring Castro to face the charges, Rubio refused to discuss any possible plan. US officials said they expect Castro to appear either voluntarily or through another method.
The move has drawn comparisons to earlier US action against Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, who was seized in a military operation and later charged in the United States.
Cuba Faces Economic Pressure
Cuba is already dealing with a severe economic crisis. A fuel shortage, worsened by US pressure on oil supplies, has caused long blackouts and food shortages across the island.
Rubio said Cuba had accepted a US offer of $100m in humanitarian aid. However, Washington is also demanding political and economic changes from Havana.
The exact terms remain unclear, but they may include opening the Cuban economy to more foreign investment and ending the presence of Russian or Chinese intelligence-linked operations on the island.
Trump Suggests Stronger Action
President Trump described Cuba as a failed country and said his administration was trying to help the Cuban people on humanitarian grounds.
He also suggested that many Cuban-Americans want to return and help rebuild the country. Trump added that past US presidents had considered taking action on Cuba for decades, but said he may be the president who finally does it.
His comments have increased concern that Washington could move beyond sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
New Arrest Targets Cuba-Linked Figure
Rubio also announced that US authorities had arrested Adys Lastres Morera, the sister of a senior official connected to a Cuban military-run business group.
The group, known as GAESA, controls major parts of Cuba’s economy and has become a key focus of US pressure. Rubio alleged that Morera had been living in Florida while helping Havana’s communist government.
She was arrested by immigration enforcement and is expected to remain in custody while deportation proceedings continue.
US-Cuba Relations Enter a More Uncertain Phase
The latest exchange shows how quickly US-Cuba relations are deteriorating. Washington says it is acting because of national security concerns, while Havana says the US is using false claims to justify aggression.
With new charges against Raúl Castro, rising economic pressure, and Trump openly discussing stronger action, the dispute is moving into a more dangerous stage.
For now, diplomacy remains officially on the table. But Rubio’s comments suggest that Washington does not expect talks with Havana to succeed anytime soon.