On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a video address to the Cuban people, recorded in Spanish. His message criticized Cuba’s elite for corruption and proposed a $100 million aid package for food and medicine.
This announcement coincides with the indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro and five others by a U.S. grand jury in Florida.
Marco Rubio’s Address
Marco Rubio, whose parents immigrated from Cuba before Fidel Castro’s rise, focused on the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA). GAESA is a prominent Cuban business entity, reportedly managing assets worth $18 billion and controlling 70% of Cuba’s economy.
“They profit from hotels, construction, banks, stores, and even from the remittances sent by your relatives in the U.S. Everything passes through GAESA’s hands, and a percentage is retained by them.”
Rubio pointed out that despite GAESA’s profits, Cuban citizens do not benefit. This criticism came amid a major blackout in Cuba, as the power grid collapsed. The blackout followed U.S. actions that blocked oil supplies since January.
Venezuelan oil, regularly sent to Cuba by former leader Nicolás Maduro, stopped following his removal from power by U.S. military operations. He faces drug trafficking charges.
“The reason for your daily survival without electricity is not the U.S. blockade, but years of suffering from blackouts. Those in power have plundered resources, neglecting the people’s needs.”
Proposed Aid and Changes
Rubio emphasized that the $100 million relief must be distributed through the Catholic Church or charitable groups to prevent GAESA from misappropriating it.
“President Trump proposes a new U.S.-Cuba relationship, aiming directly at you, the Cuban people, bypassing GAESA.”
Rubio advocated for ending Cuba’s 67-year communist regime.
“In today’s Cuba, only those connected to GAESA can run profitable businesses. President Trump proposes a new path where ordinary Cubans, not just GAESA, can own enterprises.”
Remarks on the new path followed news of Raúl Castro’s indictment. The U.S. case accuses Castro of involvement in the 1996 downing of two humanitarian planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue.
Though Raúl Castro stepped down as Communist Party leader in 2021, he remains influential in Cuba. Miguel Díaz-Canel is now the president and communist leader.