US offers Cubans ‘new path’ in new address over worsening crisis
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has addressed Cubans directly in a Spanish-language video message, blaming the island’s worsening shortages on government corruption rather than U.S. sanctions and outlining what he described as a “new path” for Cuba.
“Today I want to share with you the truth about the reason for your suffering,” Rubio said on Wednesday. “The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil blockade by the United States.”
Rubio argued that Cuba’s economic crisis was the result of decades of corruption and mismanagement by the country’s leadership.
“The real reason you don’t have electricity, fuel, or food is because those who control your country have looted billions of dollars,” he said.
The remarks came as Cuba faces one of its worst energy crises in decades, with severe fuel shortages and blackouts lasting up to 22 hours a day in some parts of the country.
The Cuban government has blamed U.S. sanctions and restrictions on fuel imports for worsening the crisis, while Washington accuses Havana of economic mismanagement.
Rubio also criticised the influence of GAESA, the military-linked business conglomerate that controls large sectors of Cuba’s economy.
“Only those close to the GAESA elite or who are part of it can have profitable businesses,” Rubio said.
He said President Donald Trump was offering “a new path” in which ordinary Cubans could own businesses, banks, media outlets and other enterprises without political restrictions.
“A new Cuba where you can complain about a failing system without fear of going to jail,” Rubio said. “And a new Cuba where you have the real opportunity to choose who governs your country.”
Rubio also announced a proposed $100 million package of food and medical aid, saying the assistance would be distributed through the Catholic Church and humanitarian organisations rather than the Cuban government.
The address follows a series of measures by the Trump administration aimed at tightening pressure on Havana, including additional tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba and expanded sanctions against entities Washington says threaten U.S. national security.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
