Marco Rubio Speaks to Cuban People, Proposes $100 Million Aid Amid Indictments

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Cuban people via a video message in Spanish. He criticized Cuba’s ruling elite for corruption and proposed a $100 million aid package comprising food and medicine.

This initiative coincided with the indictment of former President Raúl Castro and five others by a U.S. grand jury in Florida. Court documents outlined these charges.

Rubio, who has Cuban heritage, highlighted the influence of Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a powerful business entity in Cuba. He claimed GAESA holds $18 billion in assets and controls 70% of the Cuban economy.

“They profit from hotels, construction, banks, stores, and even the remittances you receive from the U.S.,” Rubio said. “From those remittances they take a cut, but you see nothing from GAESA’s profits.”

Cuba is currently facing widespread blackouts. This situation worsened after the U.S. blocked oil shipments to the island in January, following Nicolás Maduro’s ousting and drug trafficking indictment.

Despite claims of a blockade, Rubio argued that ongoing infrastructure issues are to blame for the energy crisis. “You’ve dealt with blackouts for years,” he stated, blaming corruption for the lack of investment in utilities.

Rubio’s aid proposal suggests distributing supplies through the Catholic Church or charitable groups to prevent GAESA’s potential misappropriation.

“President Trump seeks a new relationship with Cuba,” Rubio continued. “Our engagement should be with the Cuban people, not GAESA.”

He envisions a post-communist Cuba, where ordinary Cubans can own businesses like gas stations or restaurants. Rubio insists this new path will empower the average citizen, not just the elite.

Simultaneously, the U.S. has indicted Raúl Castro, aged 94, over the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue incident involving downed aircraft. Although Castro stepped down as Communist Party leader in 2021, he remains influential in Cuban politics. Miguel Díaz-Canel currently holds the presidency and the party leadership.