Rubio Urges Cubans to Form Quiet Ties With CIA
The secretary of state called for a direct partnership between Cuban reformers and the intelligence agency as U.S. warships loomed near the island.
By Luana Sato ·
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Cubans seeking political change to establish a direct relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Rubio issued the appeal in a post on X on Friday, stating that the current moment presents an opportunity for those tired of broken promises and corruption. He described the desired cooperation as a "discrete partnership" with the intelligence agency. The CIA shortly reposted the message in both English and Spanish, attaching a video that detailed the specific steps for contacting the agency.
This diplomatic push follows a week of intensified economic pressure on the island. The U.S. government announced new sanctions targeting Cuba's state-run bank, citing the institution's financial links to Iran. These measures join a long-standing embargo that has contributed to soaring prices for basic goods and reduced access to medical care. Reports indicate that citizens have waited hours in lines for bread and doctor appointments.
President Donald Trump reinforced the administration's stance during a campaign rally in South Florida on Friday. He referenced U.S. Navy warships currently deployed near the Strait of Hormuz and described a future scenario involving a naval show of force. Trump stated that one of the vessels would stop approximately 50 yards off the Cuban coast. He suggested that Cuban officials would signal their readiness, after which Rubio would intervene to finalize a political transition.
The Cuban government responded to the rhetoric with a formal rejection on Friday. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla posted on X that the island dismisses any threats arising from U.S. ambitions. He characterized the Cuban coastline as both beautiful and rugged, noting that it is inhospitable to those arriving with hostile intentions.
The next phase of this standoff depends on the movement of the U.S. naval assets. The warships remain positioned near the Strait of Hormuz, with a projected route that passes the Cuban coast. The administration has not announced a specific date for the planned naval halt, but the diplomatic messaging suggests the operation is imminent.
