The US Secretary of State now tempers expectations of imminent action: “We are prepared to be very realistic and patient.”
14ymedio, Madrid, July 23, 2026 / In a new episode of the tug-of-war between the US and Cuba, this Wednesday Marco Rubio had to dispel any notion of an imminent resolution to the issue . “We continue talking with them about the kind of changes they can make,” he declared to the press at the Manila International Convention Center in the Philippines, where he is attending the The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
Asked whether the Trump administration still aimed to achieve regime change through economic collapse or military intervention, the US Secretary of State said the goal was to bring “prosperity, security, certainty, and a better future” to Cubans. With regards on how to achieve this, he stated, “We are prepared to be very realistic and patient about how. It takes a serious process to get there.”
Rubio was visibly annoyed when the press asked him about the many statements made throughout the year by members of Congress, senators, and various other U.S. officials who have spoken of short timelines for regime change. “Who are ‘many of them’? Who was saying that?” the Secretary of State snapped at the reporter, who said he was referring to “people within the administration who work on this issue.”
“No, global affairs are not a miniseries where you go through three episodes and that’s it. Global affairs are difficult.”
The high-ranking official insisted: “Like whom? Because I work on this issue more than anyone, and I never said that,” he continued. And when the reporter responded that the expectation of imminence stemmed, above all, from Cuba’s own weakness, Rubio replied, “No, global issues aren’t a miniseries where you go through three episodes and it’s over. Global issues are difficult.”
Despite Rubio’s reticence, mentions of imminent change in Cuba range from Trump himself—who less than a week ago spoke of a two-month timeframe—to Florida congressmembers who have mentioned summer or “before the end of the year.” Yesterday, however, Rubio tempered the sense of urgency after several minutes spent reminding everyone that it is a regime that has been entrenched in the country for more than six decades. He insisted that it is a “Failed State,” but maintained that he has “never” given a timeline. “I wish it were tomorrow because they deserve it; the people of Cuba deserve a better future,” he said.
The Secretary of State insisted that Cuba’s economic model is not working and reminded everyone that it no longer receives free oil from Venezuela, without mentioning that even if it could, it wouldn’t be able to buy it. Since the end of January, his administration has prevented any country from sending fuel to the island—whether for payment or not. He did speak, however, of the first shipment of US humanitarian aid that arrived on the island this Tuesday, “which will be distributed by non-governmental organizations on the ground.”
Another topic that inevitably came up was the recent report from his department that identifies Cuba as the main promoter of international communism. “This is a government that has passed, a regime—he corrected himself—that has spent most of the last 30, 40, or 50 years destabilizing the region with the movements it has supported. And they have lost, I don’t know, between 10% and 15% of their population since 2021,” he said.
“Yes, but our problem is with communist interference within our country.”
A reporter asked Rubio why this report focused on Cuba and not China. “They are the largest communist party in the world, with 100 million members,” the reporter inquired. “Yes, but our problem is with communist interference within our country. That report was about what these different elements do to interfere in our country and undermine our foreign policy,” the Secretary of State responded.
Rubio also expressed his preoccupation with the potential for mass migration from Cuba if the country becomes destabilized, one of the major reasons for his caution and his defense of continuing the conversations. “We want them to have a better future, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to help them achieve it. But they have to decide they want to do it. Those in charge there right now don’t want to,” he added, but insisted that his Administration is prepared “to do everything in our power to bring about positive change in Cuba because it directly impacts our national security.”
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