Cuba's foreign minister fired back at Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, accusing him of lying about the island nation posing a national security threat to the United States. In an interview with Fox News, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla dismissed Rubio's recent characterization of Cuba as 'one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region' as part of a broader pattern of deception.
'In all areas, however, he lies, he lies on and on,' Rodríguez said. 'He continuously intends to deceive the public opinion in the U.S., the U.S. Congress and the international community.' The sharp rebuke comes as tensions between Washington and Havana ratchet up under the Trump administration's aggressive stance toward Cuba.
Rodríguez Challenges Trump Administration's Accusations
Rodríguez pushed back on multiple claims made by the White House, including assertions that Cuba is threatening U.S. security by aiding adversaries like Russia and China, and that it has acquired powerful drones capable of attacking American soil. He questioned the logic behind such fears, given Cuba's relatively small size.
'Based on what logic — what would be the common sense behind the idea that Cuba could threaten a nuclear superpower?' Rodríguez asked, pointing to the vast disparities in population and land mass between the two countries.
The administration's rhetoric has escalated under President Trump, who has repeatedly threatened military action against Cuba. Last week, the Justice Department unsealed a superseding indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro and five other regime members, a move Rodríguez called a violation of international law.
'Why did it wait for 30 years to do this?' he said. 'We will have to ask, what is the ethical value? What is the legal value behind these allegations right now? Or if this is part of the political narrative aimed at manipulating the U.S. public opinion to testify a military aggression against Cuba?'
Sanctions and Enforcement Intensify
Earlier this month, Rubio unveiled a new wave of sanctions targeting Cuban entities and elites, tightening the economic noose around the island. The administration also imposed stricter limits on oil shipments, exacerbating blackouts and shortages that have already crippled daily life for Cubans. As part of this crackdown, the Treasury Department subpoenaed streamer and political influencer Hasan Piker last week after he traveled to Cuba, investigating whether he violated U.S. sanctions and laws.
The escalating measures reflect a broader shift in U.S. policy, with the Trump administration taking a harder line than its predecessors. Critics, including some lawmakers, have questioned the timing and motivation behind the renewed push, especially as reports emerge of deportations of Cubans to violent Mexican border zones, drawing scrutiny from human rights groups.
Rodríguez's interview underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, with Cuba framing the U.S. actions as a pretext for possible military intervention. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
