Rubio Tells Cubans 'Now Is the Time' for Political Change 2026

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, has told Cubans that “now is the time” to act if they want to see political change in their country. The remark came just moments after Donald Trump suggested at a rally in south Florida that US warships could intervene in Cuba on their way back from the Iran war.

Rubio, whose parents left Cuba for the United States before the socialist revolution, made the comment in a social media post addressed “to those who seek to create positive change.” He urged Cubans to capitalize on Trump’s plans, saying: “The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete [sic] partnership with the CIA.”

The top US diplomat appeared to mistakenly use the word “discrete,” meaning separate, rather than “discreet,” meaning private or secret. The post did not elaborate on what such a partnership would entail.

Trump Revives Idea of Warship Stopover in Cuba

Trump first floated the idea of using US warships to pressure Cuba earlier this year, but had not mentioned it in recent months. He revived it on Friday in response to a shouted question from the crowd about the island nation.

“We’ll do a little stopover,” Trump said. “Actually, what we’re going to do with Cuba is, we’re going to come back from Iran. Those beautiful ships will pass Cuba. We’ll have one of them stop at Cuba.” The remark was made during a rally for candidates just days before midterm elections.

The rally comes as voters have expressed concern about the impact of the US war on Iran on prices of goods from gas to groceries. Trump’s comments about Cuba appear to be an attempt to rally support among Cuban-American voters in Florida, a key voting bloc.

Rubio’s Message to Cubans: Seize the Opportunity

Rubio’s post directly addressed Cubans seeking change, urging them to take advantage of the moment. He wrote: “To those who seek to create positive change: The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA.”

The secretary of state has long been a vocal critic of the Cuban government and has advocated for a harder line against the regime. His parents fled Cuba in 1956, before Fidel Castro’s revolution.

Rubio’s use of “discrete” instead of “discreet” raised eyebrows on social media, with some questioning whether the CIA would be involved in such a partnership. The post did not provide further details.

What This Means for US-Cuba Relations

The comments from Trump and Rubio signal a potential shift in US policy toward Cuba, which has been under a trade embargo for decades. Trump has taken a hard line against the Cuban government, reversing some of the Obama-era openings. The background to this story is set out in Marco Rubio Fails to Promote Peace as Secretary of State. A related thread runs through Marco Rubio's Diplomacy: Why Peace Efforts Fail. Earlier coverage in State Department Targets Cuba Solidarity as 'Subversion' shows how the argument developed.

Any move to send warships to Cuba would be a significant escalation and could strain relations further. It remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks were a serious policy proposal or campaign rhetoric. A closer look at the same subject appears in State Department Attacks US Left Over Cuba in New Report. Anyone following the wider picture can start with State Department Attacks US Left Over Cuba: Key Report Insights. The same theme surfaces in Marco Rubio Deflects Kimberly Guilfoyle Credit Card Scandal, which takes a different angle.

For now, Rubio’s message to Cubans is clear: he believes the time for change is now. Whether that change comes through diplomatic pressure, covert action, or something else remains to be seen. Context on how this played out before sits in State Department Report Targets Cuba Left Activists. A companion piece, Cuba's Reality: Hunger, Blackouts Amid US Threat Claims, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Marco Rubio told Cubans “now is the time” to act for political change in a social media post.
• The comment came after Donald Trump suggested US warships could stop in Cuba on their way back from Iran.
• Rubio urged Cubans to seize the opportunity through a “discrete partnership with the CIA,” possibly a typo for “discreet.”
• The remarks were made at a rally in south Florida just days before midterm elections.
• Trump’s comments may be aimed at rallying Cuban-American voters concerned about the Iran war’s impact on prices.

Comparing Trump’s Cuba Rhetoric

FAQ

As the midterm elections approach, the focus on Cuba may intensify. Rubio’s call to action and Trump’s warship comments are likely to be discussed in the coming days. For those following the career of Marco Rubio, his latest remarks add another chapter to his long-standing advocacy for Cuban freedom. In a related development, Rubio recently deflected questions about a credit card scandal involving Kimberly Guilfoyle, showing his ability to navigate controversy. Meanwhile, across the globe, legal experts are examining the memory of witnesses in high-profile cases, such as the ICAC lawyer’s questioning of Charles Perrottet, which highlights the complexities of truth and recollection.