Rubio doubtful of diplomacy with Cuba as Trump renews threat of military action

The US president and the secretary of state again raised the possibility of military intervention in Cuba. The president said earlier administrations considered intervention for decades and suggested he may be the one to act. The secretary of state said Cuba has been a national security threat for years due to ties with US adversaries and said the administration aims to resolve differences peacefully. He expressed doubt that diplomacy can succeed with Cuba’s current government. Recent meetings between US officials and Cuban officials did not produce improvements, and additional sanctions were imposed. The secretary of state said Cuba has relied on delaying tactics and that it will not be able to do so indefinitely.

"Trump said previous US presidents have considered intervening in Cuba for decades but that it looks like I'll be the one that does it. Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something, Trump told reporters when asked about Cuba during an environmental event in the Oval Office. And, it looks like I'll be the one that does it. So, I would be happy to do it."

"Rubio told reporters separately that Cuba has been a national security threat for years because of its ties to US adversaries and that Trump was intent on addressing it. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who has long taken a hard line against Cuba's socialist leadership, said the Trump administration wants to resolve differences with Havana peacefully but is doubtful the US can reach a diplomatic resolution with the island's current government."

"[Trump's] preference is always a negotiated agreement that's peaceful. That's always our preference. That remains our preference with Cuba, Rubio said in Miami before boarding a plane to attend a Nato meeting in Sweden and then visit India. I'm just being honest with you, you know, the likelihood of that happening, given who we're dealing with right now, is not high, he said."

"Top Trump aides including Rubio, the CIA chief, John Ratcliffe, and other senior national security officials have met Cuban officials in recent months to explore possible improvements in relations. But the US side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government in the past week. Over the years, Cuba has gotten used to buying time and waiting us out, Rubio said."

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