Posted on 05/21/2026 7:40:07 PM PDT by madison10
Skip to content An official website of the United States Government Here's how you know
Close Menu State Department HomeState Department Home search
Search
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
May 20, 2026
Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a video message to the people of Cuba, reaffirming the unwavering support of the United States for the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom, dignity, and self-determination.
In his remarks, Secretary Rubio addressed the continued suffering endured by the Cuban people after 67 years of tyranny, censorship, and human rights abuses by the illegitimate regime.
A courtesy translation of the Secretary’s video message is below.
Translated Transcript On a day like today, in 1902, the Cuban flag flew for the first time over an independent country. But I know that today, you, who call the island your home, are going through unimaginable hardships. Today I want to share with you the truth about the reason for your suffering. And I want to tell you what we, in the U.S., are offering to help you not only alleviate the current crisis, but also to build a better future.
The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil “blockade” by the U.S. As you know, better than anyone, you have been suffering from blackouts for years.
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.
Thirty years ago, Raúl Castro founded a company called GAESA. This company is owned and operated by the Armed Forces, and has revenues three times greater than your current government’s budget. Today, while you suffer, these businessmen have $18 billion dollars in assets and control 70% of Cuba’s economy. They profit from hotels, construction, banks, stores and even from the money your relatives send you from the U.S. everything, everything passes through their hands. From those remittances they retain a percentage, but from GAESA’s profits nothing reaches you.
Instead of using the money to buy oil, like all other countries in the world, they depended on free oil from Hugo Chávez and Maduro to keep the money. But now that the free oil has stopped coming, they buy fuel for their generators and their vehicles while the people are asked to sacrifice.
Instead of using the money to maintain and modernize the damaged power plants, they use the money to build more hotels for foreigners and to send their relatives to live in luxury in Madrid and even here in the United States.
Today, Cuba is not controlled by any “revolution.” Cuba is controlled by GAESA. A “state within the state” that is accountable to no one and hoards the profits from its businesses for the benefit of a small elite. And the only role played by the so-called “government” is to demand that you continue making “sacrifices” and repressing anyone who dares to complain.
President Trump is offering a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. But it must be directly with you, the Cuban people, not with GAESA.
First, we are offering $100 million dollars in food and medicine for you, the people. But they must be distributed directly to the Cuban people by the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable groups. Not stolen by GAESA to sell in one of their stores.
But, the Cuban people are not interested in permanent charity. You want the opportunity to live in your own country the way your relatives live in the U.S. or in other countries of the world.
Today, from media to entertainment, from the private sector to politics, and from music to sports, Cubans have reached the top of virtually ALL industries, in all countries, except one… Cuba.
Today in Cuba, only those close to the GAESA elite or who are part of it can have profitable businesses.
But President Trump is offering a new path between the U.S. and a new Cuba.
A new Cuba where you, the ordinary Cuban, and not just GAESA, can own a gas station or a clothing store, or a restaurant.
A new Cuba where you, and not just GAESA, can open a bank or have a construction company.
A new Cuba where you, and not just the Communist Party of Cuba, can own a television station or a newspaper.
A new Cuba where you can complain about a failing system, without fear of going to jail or being forced to leave your island.
And a new Cuba where you have a real opportunity to choose who governs your country and vote to replace them if they are not doing a good job.
This is not impossible. All of this exists in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and even just 90 miles away, in Florida. If owning your own business and having the right to vote is possible around Cuba, why is it not possible for you in Cuba?
In the U.S. we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people and our countries.
And, currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control your country.
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
Spanish....Another asset held by Rubio. His heart is really for the people of Cuba to get out of the ditch that Castro dug for them.
Think of Cuba as a fixer-upper on the market. He buys it, moves into the squalor and calls the shots on the remodel. The US government is the Home Depot.
Once Raul(squatter) is removed Marco moves in, puts all the underemployed to work and leaves his old job behind. He then waits for the value to go up and then sells(moves) into the WH after 10 years of the DeSantis occupancy.
Ha! Marco will be in the WH way before that.
Marco Rubio (in spanish with English captions)
Secretary Rubio Message to the Cuban People on Their Independence Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFFS7os5CCs
Thank you for posting.
This is very important to the Citizens of Cuba and to the United States interest too.
FREEDOM
I would imagine it’s hard for the Cuban authorities to say TOO much bad about Rubio when his family is from Cuba, and he speaks the native language directly to the people.
Can the Cuban people see this video? Do we have a “Radio Free Cuba” for them?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.