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Rubio Offers Cuba 'New Relationship,' Bypassing Military Elite
(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended what he described as a fresh opening to the Cuban people on Wednesday, holding the island's ruling class directly responsible for the population's prolonged suffering, media reported.
Speaking in a Spanish-language video message — his first direct address to the Cuban people since assuming the role of secretary of state — Rubio, himself the son of Cuban immigrants, drew a sharp line between ordinary Cubans and the military-linked conglomerate GAESA.
"President (Donald) Trump is offering a new relationship between the US and Cuba. But it must be directly with you, the Cuban people, not with GAESA," Rubio said, referencing the powerful business empire established under former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.
At the heart of the offer: "$100 million in food and medicine for you, the people," conditional on delivery through the "Catholic Church or other trusted charitable groups. Not stolen by GAESA to sell in one of their stores."
Rubio also pledged economic rights to everyday citizens, stating the US offers "you, the ordinary Cuban, and not just GAESA," the right to own a business, whether it's a gas station or a media company.
He placed blame for the country's deteriorating conditions squarely on its leadership: "The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel, or food is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people."
GAESA loomed large throughout Rubio's remarks — and for good reason. The conglomerate reportedly commands around 70% of Cuba's economy, spanning hotels, construction firms, banks, retail outlets, and US cash remittances, with estimated assets of approximately $18 billion.
Cuba's energy crisis has reached a breaking point in recent months following a US oil embargo imposed on January 30. "We have absolutely no fuel and absolutely no diesel," Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said last week in state media, warning that the national power grid is in a "critical state."
President Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly signaled that Cuba is "next" in Washington's crosshairs following military action against Iran, claiming the communist-governed island would fall "soon."
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