Marco Rubio’s evolution amid a growing Cuba crisis
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What geographical and historical context sets the stage for the Cuba crisis?
Only 90 miles separates the U.S. from Cuba, roughly a one-hour flight from Miami. But while closed geographically, decades of geopolitical tensions have created a deep and lasting divide.
Cuba has an economy that doesn't work and a political and governmental system that can't fix it. So they have to change dramatically. What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. It's not going to fix it. So they've got some big decisions to make over there.
Hello and welcome to USA Today's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. Joining me to discuss the current crisis in Cuba and the evolution of Secretary of State Marco Rubio is USA Today White House correspondent Francesca Chambers.
How is Marco Rubio's role significant in the current U.S. strategy towards Cuba?
It's always good to have you here, Francesca. Thanks so much. Start us out by telling us about the Trump administration's strategy toward Cuba.
So President Donald Trump has put Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is a Cuban-American and a former Florida senator, in charge of these talks with Havana. Now, we know that he has spoken to Raulito Castro, who is the grandson of former leader Raul Castro. And we also know now that Rubio and the Trump administration have also been in talks with the current president, Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba. But what is in this potential agreement? That is something that we know what's been under discussion. A few of the things it focuses on economic reforms, and they've talked about an off ramp for Diaz Canal. They've also talked about the Castro family being able to stay on the island, but we don't know exactly what is on the table at this moment, especially as the president has talked about a
friendly takeover, or as he told me a few weeks ago, it could be an unfriendly takeover of Cuba. He's talked about both.
We've now recently seen attempts at regime change in Venezuela and Iran. About a week ago, we heard this comment from President Donald Trump.
I do believe I'll be the honor of having the honor of taking Cuba. That'd be good. That's a big honor.
What are the main components of the potential agreement with Cuba?
Taking Cuba. Taking Cuba in some form, yeah. Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it. You want to know the truth?
Francesca, how should Americans interpret the president's statement here?
Well, right, exactly. He has talked about taking Cuba. He's talked about freeing Cuba. And I think he said that he could do whatever it is that he wants with Cuba in the end. It's not exactly like Venezuela, though. People who are close to the administration, as well as experts, have told me because in Venezuela, the United States... had Delcy Rodriguez, who's currently the acting president, was the number two to Nicolas Maduro. Here, this is an unclear situation if the United States did want to pursue regime change. And by the way, Marco Rubio has previously testified in the Senate that it wouldn't necessarily be pursuing that as part of its strategy towards Cuba. But it's not clear if the U.S. has identified someone yet who's not related to the Castros, by the way, who would be able to fulfill that role.
There's a question about whether or not the United States would accept anybody who's related to the Castros. The law that was codified in 1996, the Helms-Burton Act, which codified the U.S. embargo against Cuba, specifically says that Fidel Castro, Raul Castro would no longer be in government for an embargo to be lifted.
What actions has the Trump administration taken regarding Cuba?
Some of the other conditions that would have to be met are freedom of speech, as well as the release of political prisoners that are inside of Cuba. So even if the United States is able to get some sort of an economic agreement With the Cuban government or with the Castros, there's still a whole bunch of other steps that would have to happen here for this embargo that's been on Cuba from the United States for decades to be lifted.
What actions has the administration taken so far and why do you describe this as a make or break moment for Rubio?
Well, it's a meager moment for Marco Rubio because so much of his political career has rested on this.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What geographical and historical context sets the stage for the Cuba crisis?
0:04–0:47
2
How is Marco Rubio's role significant in the current U.S. strategy towards Cuba?
0:47–2:17
3
What are the main components of the potential agreement with Cuba?
2:17–3:43
4
What actions has the Trump administration taken regarding Cuba?
3:43–5:52
5
How does the Trump administration's approach differ from Biden's regarding Cuba?
5:52–10:27
6
What are the implications of the Helms-Burton Act on U.S.-Cuba relations?
10:27–13:05
7
How has Marco Rubio's personal background influenced his political stance on Cuba?
13:05–13:38
Speakers
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