Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to act, renewing U.S. pressure on Havana
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio mocked Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s public appeal for Cubans seeking political change to form a discreet partnership with the CIA, saying the agency seemed desperate to sell its services “like a tube of toothpaste.” President Donald Trump suggested at a Fort Myers rally that U.S. warships returning from Iran could stop near Cuba; his remarks did not establish that military action was authorized.
More context
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio ridiculed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s overture to Cubans, while President Donald Trump again floated the possibility of military action against the island. At a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump suggested U.S. warships returning from the conflict with Iran might make a stop near Cuba; he did not say military action had been approved. Rubio had called on Cubans seeking political change to establish a discreet connection with the CIA. Fernandez de Cossio described the message as open CIA recruitment and suggested the agency was so hard up it had to market its services like toothpaste. The exchange came as Washington tightened sanctions, Cuba faced a deepening economic crisis and diplomatic relations grew increasingly strained. The comments also came days before the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
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Reporting
- Proto Thema — Cuba mocks US call for CIA informants: ‘They’re selling it like a tube of toothpaste’ - ProtoThema English
- Arab News — Cuba mocks US ‘desperation’ after Rubio urges Cubans to work with CIA
- Open Magazine — Trump Threatens Cuba with Naval Stopover, Warns Iran of Renewed Strikes
- Latin Times — Rubio's CIA Pitch to Cuba Raises the Stakes in Washington's Pressure Campaign
- Suara Garut — Rubio Urges Cubans to Work With CIA as Trump Escalates Pressure
- dainikjagranmpcg.com — Trump Threatens Cuba With Military Action as Tensions Rise - Dainik Jagran English
Verifier’s note
These results report Rubio’s appeal for Cubans seeking change to act, including his call for a discreet partnership with the CIA, amid renewed U.S. pressure on Havana. They were published on October 24, within about 24 hours of the reported October 23 appeal.