Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, on Saturday, July 20, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of Cuba's July 11 protests, condemned the communist government of the island nation for "brutal repression" of protesters and silencing people's demands for basic rights, dignity, and greater opportunities, in a post on social media platform X. Rubio wrote that hundreds of Cuban citizens remain "unjustly" detained for seeking freedom of economic activity, participation in the political process, and provisions for themselves and their families. The U.S. Secretary of State also said that Donald Trump and his administration seek a better future for Cuba—one in which the Cuban people enjoy greater freedom, dignity, and opportunities, and Cuba ends its hosting of foreign military, intelligence, and "sabotage" activities near American soil. Rubio emphasized that the United States will continue to use "all tools at its disposal" to advance comprehensive economic and political reforms in Cuba and counter threats emanating from the country.