What specific national security concern did U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cite regarding Cuba, and how did Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez respond?

Rubio claimed Cuba is a national security threat because it has 'rolled out the welcome mat to adversaries' of the U.S., specifically accusing Havana of providing a 'toehold for Chinese and Russian forces in the hemisphere' and vowing that 'we are not going to have a foreign military or intelligence or security apparatus operating with impunity 90 miles off the shores of the United States.' In response, Rodríguez rejected the characterization as 'absurd,' asserting that Cuba 'is not an aggressor, does not allow its territory to be used against others, and has a clean record against terrorism, international organized crime, and violence.'

What is the current state of Cuba’s energy supply, and what measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the U.S. blockade?

The U.S. has imposed a near-total energy blockade on Cuba since January, severely restricting fuel imports — only one Russian tanker has been allowed to deliver crude since the blockade began — while Cuba needs about 100,000 barrels per day to function normally. This has forced airlines to suspend service, tourism resorts to close, and many industries to halt or drastically reduce operations. In response, Cuba announced it has developed 'thermo-conversion' technology to turn its domestically produced crude (estimated at 30,000 barrels per day) into diesel and other fuels for its aging power plants.

Cuba Says It Poses No Threat as Rubio Warns of Foreign Influence

Apr 29, 2026

Cuba denies posing a security threat to the US while facing a near-total energy blockade restricting crude oil imports. The island relies on limited Russian shipments and new thermo-conversion technology to sustain fuel production.

bloomberg

2026-04-29

Cuba Says It Poses No Threat as Rubio Warns of Foreign Influence

Cuba Says It Poses No Threat as Rubio Warns of Foreign Influence

FAQ