Tensions Rise as US Targets Raul Castro, Rubio Warns Cuba

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a strong warning to Cuba, declaring that Washington is fully committed to confronting and changing the communist system on the island following the controversial indictment of former Cuban leader Raul Castro.

Rubio made the remarks on Thursday in Miami amid escalating tensions between the United States and Cuba after American authorities announced criminal charges against Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft operated by anti-Castro activists.

The latest development has triggered sharp diplomatic reactions from Havana, while China and Russia have also criticised Washington’s actions against the Caribbean nation.

Speaking to reporters, Rubio, who is of Cuban descent and a longstanding critic of the Cuban government, described Cuba as a “failed state” battling severe economic collapse and political stagnation.

“Their economic system doesn’t work. It’s broken and you can’t fix it with the current political system that’s in place,” Rubio stated.

“What they’ve gotten used to all these years is just buying time and waiting us out. They’re not going to be able to wait us out or buy time. We’re very serious. We’re very focused.”

Rubio stressed that although the United States preferred a diplomatic resolution with Havana, President Donald Trump still had several options available regarding future actions against the Cuban government.

The US Secretary of State also revealed that Cuba had tentatively accepted a proposed $100 million American aid package tied to political and economic reforms.

However, Rubio noted that disagreements remained over conditions attached to the proposal, particularly Washington’s insistence that the aid should bypass GAESA, the military-backed conglomerate that controls major sectors of Cuba’s economy.

Earlier this month, the United States imposed sanctions on GAESA as part of increased pressure on the Cuban government.

Rubio further disclosed that Adys Lastres Morera, the Florida-based sister of the head of GAESA had been arrested by US immigration authorities.

In a statement posted on X, Rubio accused her of managing real estate assets while aiding the Cuban government.

The charges against Raul Castro stem from the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft belonging to the anti-Castro group “Brothers to the Rescue,” an incident that killed four people and significantly worsened US-Cuba relations at the time.

Cuban authorities have strongly condemned the indictment, describing it as politically motivated and provocative.

State-owned newspaper Granma called on Cubans to stage protests outside the US Embassy in Havana, describing the indictment as a “despicable” attack against a former national leader.

Residents in Havana also reacted angrily to the development.

“This isn’t really an accusation, something from more than 30 years ago, but rather a public attack on a public figure,” a Havana resident, Fabian Fernandez, told newsmen.

Political analysts say the move by Washington may signal a broader strategy similar to the pressure campaign previously mounted against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Christopher Sabatini, Senior Fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, said the indictment appeared intended to send a strong message to Havana.

“The idea is to say, we can do to you what we did to Nicolas Maduro,” he said.

Cuba is currently facing one of its worst economic crises in decades, worsened by fuel shortages, inflation, food scarcity and prolonged power outages.

Residents across the island have reportedly endured blackouts lasting up to 20 hours daily, while the cost of essential goods continues to soar.

The Cuban government has defended its actions in the 1996 aircraft incident, insisting the planes violated Cuban airspace and that the military acted in legitimate self-defence.

The escalating tensions have also drawn reactions from China and Russia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun criticised Washington for using sanctions and legal pressure against Cuba.

“Washington should stop brandishing the sanctions stick and the judicial stick against Cuba and stop threatening force at every turn,” he stated.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also condemned the US approach, warning against actions that could resemble political intimidation or force against former or current heads of state.

The latest confrontation marks another major strain in already fragile US-Cuba relations under the Trump administration, with analysts warning that the situation could further destabilize the region if diplomatic channels fail to prevail.