Rubio says failed Cuban model threatens US security
The Secretary of State argued in Paris that economic and political reforms are necessary to stop mass emigration.
By Nadia Rahman ·
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that the current government in Cuba poses a direct threat to United States national interests. He made these remarks while attending a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris. Rubio described the island’s leadership as having created a failed state that destabilizes the region.
Rubio said the primary goal of US policy is to help Cuba secure a better future. He noted that the current model has failed because millions of people have left the island. Many of those migrants have come to the United States. Rubio argued that this trend must change to reduce instability.
The Secretary of State explained that lifting the US embargo requires specific legal conditions. US law mandates political freedom before the embargo can be removed. Rubio said the focus is now on expanding both political and economic freedoms for the Cuban people. He wants citizens to have the ability to earn a living without relying on the government for basic needs.
Rubio said the Cuban government is a stubborn group that must recognize its current path has no future. He said the United States will continue working on this issue because it remains a priority. He expressed hope that the government will eventually wake up to the reality of its situation.
The comments come as US officials continue to engage with global partners on regional security issues. Rubio’s address in Paris was part of a broader discussion on foreign policy objectives. No new sanctions or diplomatic moves were announced during the speech.
