After Trump floated warships near Cuba, Rubio tells Cubans time is ripe for political change
Rubio urges Cubans to act
Rubio made his appeal shortly after Trump spoke at a Friday rally in south Florida for candidates. The secretary of state urged those seeking political change in Cuba to take action.
Rubio’s parents left Cuba before the socialist revolution. In his remarks, he appeared to say “discrete,” meaning separate, rather than “discreet,” meaning private or secret.
Trump describes possible stop
Trump said US ships returning from the Iran war could pass Cuba and that one might stop near the coast. He then said he would send Rubio to complete a deal.
In May, Trump and Rubio raised the possibility of US military intervention. Trump later said in the Oval Office that earlier presidents had considered intervening, adding that he might be the one to do it.
Pressure and negotiations
At last month’s United Nations general assembly, Trump said Rubio was in negotiations with Cuba. Earlier this week, the countries clashed at the UN over the US effort to build opposition to an annual vote condemning its longstanding economic embargo against Havana.
Key points
- Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to act, saying “now is the time.”
- Trump suggested a US warship could stop near Cuba while returning from the Iran war.
- Trump said Rubio was negotiating with Cuba during last month’s United Nations general assembly.
- The US and Cuba recently clashed at the UN over Washington’s economic embargo.