Rubio tells Cubans ‘now is the time’ to act to see political change
US secretary of state makes comments after Trump tells US rally warships could intervene on return from Iran
TL;DR
- Marco Rubio encouraged Cubans seeking political change to act, referencing Donald Trump's comments about US warships possibly intervening in Cuba.
- Rubio suggested Cubans seize the opportunity for change through a 'discrete' (likely meant 'discreet') partnership with the CIA.
- Donald Trump had previously floated the idea of US warships stopping near Cuba on their way back from Iran.
- Cuba's deputy foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, mocked the US remarks as 'public recruitment for the CIA'.
- Rubio believes Cuba has been a national security threat due to its ties with US adversaries and doubts a diplomatic resolution is possible with the current government.
- Cuba has been facing an economic and energy crisis, with a shrinking GDP, blackouts, food shortages, inflation, and emigration.