Trump hints at Marco Rubio's presidency of Cuba amid tensions
In a move that sparked widespread controversy and political speculation, US President Donald Trump retweeted a message on his social media platform hinting at an unprecedented political scenario involving his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and the future of power in Cuba. This development comes at a highly sensitive time for Latin America, lending a strategic dimension to what might at first glance appear to be a mere casual social media interaction.
Details of the controversial letter
On Sunday, Trump retweeted a post from TruthSocial by a user named Cliff Smith, originally published on January 8th, which explicitly stated, "Marco Rubio will be president of Cuba," accompanied by a laughing emoji. The US president not only retweeted it but also commented, "Sounds good to me!" Although the original poster is not a public figure, describing himself as a "conservative from California" with a limited number of followers, Trump's interaction with the post gave it significant political weight, especially considering Marco Rubio's identity.
Implications of Marco Rubio's selection
This implication gains particular significance from Marco Rubio's own background; he is the first US Secretary of State of Latin American descent, born to Cuban immigrant parents who fled the communist regime. Rubio has long been known for his extremely hardline stance against the regime in Havana, and his persistent calls for tightening sanctions and exerting maximum political and economic pressure to bring about democratic change on the island. Therefore, linking his name to the Cuban presidency, even in a sarcastic context, carries implicit messages about the US administration's desire for regime change there.
Regional context: Post-Caracas operation
This allusion cannot be separated from the political earthquake that struck the region just a week earlier: the US military operation in Caracas, which resulted in the capture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States. This operation left hundreds of Venezuelans and Cuban security personnel dead, as well as those who were there supporting Maduro. This event reinforced the conviction among Venezuela's allies, particularly Cuba, that the United States has moved from economic sanctions to direct intervention aimed at regime change in the Western Hemisphere.
Angry reaction from Havana
Cuba was quick to respond to these hints and moves. Shortly after Trump's post, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez asserted that "right and justice are on Cuba's side." In a strongly worded statement posted on the X platform, Rodríguez wrote: "The United States is acting like an out-of-control, hegemonic criminal power, threatening peace and security not only in Cuba and this region of the world, but throughout the world." This response reflects the deep concern in Havana that Cuba might be the next target on the US administration's agenda after Venezuela, especially with a figure like Rubio at the helm of American diplomacy.
