Secretary of State Marco Rubio gives remarks to the media from Miami as he prepares to travel to Sweden on a diplomatic mission. Rubio is asked about ongoing negotiations and conflicts with Iran as well as the indictment of Cuban official Raul Castro.
Secretary Rubio also discusses the World Health Organization and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. As noted by Rubio the #1 priority for the administration is making sure the issue does not come to the United States. Rubio also noted a change in posture toward NATO following several EU countries refusing to allow U.S. military engagement from bases within their nations. “The president and I are both disappointed,” with the intransigence of several NATO countries.
Secretary Rubio continues to state the U.S and Cuban officials are still in communication throughout the political conflict between the two countries, the main problem is the Cuban regime doesn’t know how to effectively run a country and is corrupt with all revenue that exists. Cuba is heading toward being “a failed state” and that issue elevates the urgency due to proximity.
President Trump gives brief remarks following his arrival back at Joint Base Andrews following the DOJ announcement of an indictment against Raul Castro. President Trump notes the Cuban regime is under a lot of pressure and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has specific expertise on the issues surrounding Cuba. Expect more activity soon as their economic condition continues to put pressure upon them. WATCH:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers a message to the Cuban People on their Independence Day. The remarks from Secretary Rubio are broadcast simultaneously with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announcing in Miami, Florida, an ¹indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro.
Secretary Rubio outlined how the hardships of the Cuban people are driven by the corrupt actions of their government and went into detail about the systems of control currently in place to keep the Cuban people under extreme control systems of communism.
…”In the U.S. we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people and our countries. And currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future, are those who control your country.” ~ Secretary Marco Rubio
¹Four American men were killed in 1996 when their private airplanes were shot down by the Cuban military over international waters. The military was led by Raul Castro at the time who gave the order. Raul Castro, now 94, stepped down as president in 2018, but is considered by the U.S. to still be the effective leader of the country.
In a remarkable development, CIA Director John Ratcliffe travelled to Cuba on Thursday to meet with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro the grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Also present at the meeting was Cuban Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuba’s intelligence services.
In late April of this year, a few State Department officials visited Havana and held talks with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro about a potential diplomatic deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also previously spoken directly to Mr. Rodríguez Castro who appears to be acting as somewhat of a bridge between the Cuban government and various Trump administration officials.
VIA CUBAN GOVT Press Release– “Based on the request presented by the U.S. government that a delegation headed by the director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, be received in Havana, the Directorate of the Revolution approved the realization of this visit and the meeting with its counterpart from the Ministry of the Interior.
The meeting took place on Thursday, May 14, in a context characterized by the complexity of bilateral relations, in order to contribute to the political dialogue between the two nations, as part of the efforts to face the current scenario.
The evidence provided by the Cuban side and the exchanges held with the United States delegation made it possible to demonstrate categorically that Cuba does not constitute a threat to the national security of the United States, nor are there any legitimate reasons for including it in the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism.
During the meeting, it was possible to verify the consistency and congruence in the historical position of our country with the actions of the Cuban government and its competent authorities, in the confrontation and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
Earlier today CBS reported that Cuba had released 51 political prisoners as an outcome of pressure from the Trump administration upon the Cuban communist regime headed by Miguel Díaz Canel. You can read the CBS report HERE.
Hours later, Communist Leader Miguel Díaz Canel, appears on state television in Cuba to announce that the Cuban government has entered direct negotiations with the government of the United States. [SOURCE]
“Whenever we have been in tense situations in relations with the United States, efforts appear to seek channels for dialogue.” The video on Cuba–US talks is now ready with English captions and translations attached right here.
Early stages. So, for now we just watch what unfolds. However, if President Trump and Secretary Rubio manage to take down the dictatorial regimes of Venezuela, Iran and Cuba all in 2026… Jumpin’ ju-ju bones, that would be remarkable.
According to the Cuban government: “It has been established that the neutralized speedboat, registered in Florida FL7726SH, was carrying 10 armed people, who, according to preliminary statements by the detainees, intended to carry out an infiltration for terrorist purposes.”
The Cuban military opened fire on a speedboat with 10 passengers. According to established reports, 4 passengers were killed and six were wounded and captured by the Cuban coast guard forces. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the story as it surfaced yesterday (Associated Press). WATCH:
The Cuban government has released the names of those captured: “1-Amijail Sánchez González, 2-Leordan Enrique Cruz, Gómez, 3-Conrado Galindo Sariol, 4-José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, 5-Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara, 6-Roberto Azcorra Consuegra. Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova. Work is being done on the identification of the other 3.”
Cuba claims the boat, registered out of Florida, was carrying ten people intended to conduct terrorism in Cuba. Secretary Marco Rubio says the U.S. is conducting our own investigation to determine what took place.
In the press remarks above, Secretary Rubio also discussed the current status of U.S.-Iran negotiations.
President Trump and Secretary Rubio are walking carefully through a process to keep Venezuela stable and authentic to the true intents of the Venezuelan people. Toward that end, both Trump and Rubio have been very careful with Maria Corina Machado, the exiled opposition leader who claims to be the legitimate voice of the people.
Machado is loved by the United Nations, the American leftists and DC control agents. However, to avoid Machado becoming Venezuela’s Zelenskyy, President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio are working through a three-stage process that would culminate in secure national elections to coincide with Maria Machado’s return. If she wins the hearts and minds, she will have legitimacy.
If you listen carefully to her phrases and omissions, you can clearly see where the trepidation from Trump and Rubio comes from. There are a lot of platitudes and pretenses within Venezuelan politics. Video and Transcript Below:
[TRANSCRIPT] – MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re joined now by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, and it is amazing to see you here in person after so long.
MARÍA CORINA MACHADO: Likewise. Thank you very much.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this past week. He said the U.S. now does not intend to have any military action or presence inside Venezuela, except for maybe at a reopened embassy there. Is that a good idea to take that military pressure off when the Maduro regime is effectively still in place?
MACHADO: Well, first of all, I have to say that on behalf of the Venezuelan people, we’re very, very grateful to the American people, and the first hand- first and foremost, to President Trump, to the secretary of state, and also to your leaders in Congress. I mean, the- the degree of support and care that we’ve felt in this fight at this moment is enormous, and I think it is clear on the- on the behalf and well being of the American people, but also of the Venezuelan people, and I would say the whole hemisphere. I do not think that the pressure is being taken away. Actually, everything Delcy Rodríguez is currently doing is because she’s complying with instructions she’s getting from the United States, and important steps are being taken. So I think that the message has been delivered, and so far, we’re seeing the results in the actions taken by the regime, and also in the mood and energy that is growing within the Venezuelan population.
Earlier this morning President Trump delivered prepared remarks to veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Cuban resistance against communism. [Video and Transcript Below]
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[Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. Please. Thank you very much. And I’m delighted to welcome you to the White House as we honor the Cuban-American veterans of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Brave people. Great people.
I was honored to receive the endorsement of the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association in 2016, and they gave me a beautiful award. And I have it very proudly on a wall of great importance to me.
Against the backdrop of targeted sonic-weapon attacks against American diplomatic personnel the U.S. State Department removes non-essential employees and issues a travel warning against Americans traveling to Cuba. STATE DEPT – Over the past several months, 21 U.S. Embassy employees have suffered a variety of injuries from attacks of an unknown nature. The affected individuals have exhibited a range of physical symptoms, including ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping. Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.
On September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members. Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our Embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel in order to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm. (more…)
