U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Cuba represents a “national security threat” to the U.S., and that the likelihood of a peaceful agreement is “not high.”
The remarks come just a day after the U.S. charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro with murder regarding the 1996 downing of two aircraft, which resulted in the deaths of American citizens.
While Rubio noted that Washington’s preference is “a diplomatic solution,” he cautioned that President Donald Trump has the right and duty to defend the country against any threats.
In response, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez dismissed Rubio’s claims as “lies,” asserting that the island nation has never posed a threat to the U.S.
In a May 20th video message, Rubio extended a conditional offer to forge a new relationship with Cuba on its Independence Day, proposing to extend $100 million in humanitarian aid.
