Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, accusing him of misleading the American public regarding Cuba. Rodriguez stated, "In all areas, however, he lies, he lies on and on. He continuously intends to deceive the public opinion in the U.S., the U.S. Congress and the international community."
The remarks come as the Trump administration increases its economic pressure on Cuba, following a grand jury indictment of former Cuban President Raul Castro, which Rodriguez condemned as a violation of international law. He questioned the timing of the indictment, asking, "Why did it wait for 30 years to do this?" and suggested it may be part of a political narrative aimed at justifying military action against Cuba.
Rodriguez rejected claims that Cuba poses a national security threat to the United States, arguing that it is illogical for a small island nation to threaten a nuclear superpower. He stated, "Cuba is a small island — 100,000 square kilometers and 10 million inhabitants. Based on what logic, what would be the common sense behind the idea that Cuba could threaten a nuclear superpower?"
He also criticized U.S. officials for portraying Cuba as a threat while threatening military aggression and regime change. Rodriguez condemned the U.S. oil blockade on Cuba, which has led to widespread blackouts on the island, and described Rubio's actions as contributing to a military threat against Cuba.
In a video message on May 20, Rubio pledged $100 million in assistance for Cuba and blamed the Cuban government for the ongoing blackouts. Rodriguez characterized this assistance as cruel and damaging to the humanitarian situation in Cuba. He questioned the rationale behind the U.S. economic measures against a nation that is already struggling, stating, "If the Cuban state would be an inefficient state, and the Cuban economy would not be viable, what would be the use for an executive order by the president of the United States issued on January the 29th, declaring a complete energy blockade against Cuba?"
Rodriguez also criticized Rubio's use of his Cuban heritage for political gain, asserting that Rubio does not have a true understanding of Cuba. Fox News has reached out to the State Department for comment.