Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a blunt warning to the Cuban government, accusing Havana of propping up Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and signaling that Cuban leaders are facing serious consequences following the dramatic U.S. operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.
Rubio made the remarks during an appearance on Meet the Press, where he spoke with host Kristen Welker about the American military action conducted Friday night that apprehended Maduro and his wife. The interview touched on several issues, including questions about President Donald Trump’s decision not to seek congressional approval for the mission.
Toward the end of the segment, Welker pressed Rubio on whether the administration’s focus would now shift to Cuba. “Is the Cuban government the Trump administration’s next target, Mr. Secretary?” she asked.
Rubio responded by first emphasizing the dire situation facing ordinary Cubans. “Well, the Cuban government is a huge problem, first of all for the people of Cuba,” he said, adding that many Americans do not fully appreciate the extent of Havana’s role in regional instability.
Welker cut in, seeking a clearer answer. “So is that a yes?” she asked.
“I think they’re in a lot of trouble, yes,” Rubio replied. He declined to outline specific future actions but made clear the administration’s hostility toward the Cuban regime. “I’m not going to talk to you about what our future steps are going to be and our policies are going be right now in this regard, but I don’t think it’s any mystery that we are not big fans of the Cuban regime, who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.”
Rubio went on to detail what he described as deep Cuban control over Maduro’s inner circle and security apparatus. According to Rubio, Maduro’s internal security forces were effectively run by Cuban operatives, not Venezuelans. He said Cubans guarded Maduro personally and dominated the intelligence system designed to monitor loyalty within the regime.
“One of the untold stories here,” Rubio said, is the degree to which Cubans had embedded themselves inside the Venezuelan government. He characterized it as a form of colonization, saying Cubans oversaw who spied on whom to root out potential traitors and maintained control over Maduro’s protection.
The comments underscore the Trump administration’s long-standing criticism of the Cuban government and its leadership under President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Díaz-Canel condemned Maduro’s arrest on Saturday, calling it “an unacceptable, vulgar and barbarian kidnapping,” reflecting Havana’s outrage over the U.S. operation.
Trump himself hinted that Cuba should take notice of what unfolded in Venezuela. Asked by reporters how Havana should interpret Maduro’s arrest, the president suggested the issue is very much on Washington’s radar.
“I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about, because Cuba is a failing nation right now,” Trump said. He framed the administration’s posture as one aimed at helping the Cuban people, while also acknowledging the concerns of those who fled the island and now live in the United States.
Taken together, the remarks from Rubio and Trump signal a clear message: the administration views Cuba as a central enabler of Maduro’s regime and believes Havana’s actions have consequences. While officials have stopped short of outlining next steps, the warning from the nation’s top diplomat leaves little doubt that Cuba is under intense scrutiny as Washington recalibrates its approach to the region.
[READ MORE: Trump Says U.S. Will Be “Very Strongly Involved” in Venezuela’s Oil After Maduro’s Capture]
