WASHINGTON, D.C. January 4, 2026 – In a sharply worded appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the Cuban regime is facing significant challenges, accusing Havana of having “propped up” Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro prior to his recent capture by U.S. forces.
“The Cuban government is a huge problem — first of all, for Cuba,” Rubio said. “But I don’t think people fully appreciate… they’re in a lot of trouble. We are not big fans of the Cuban regime who, by the way, are the ones that were propping up Maduro.”
Rubio highlighted Cuba’s deep involvement in Venezuela’s security apparatus, stating: “His entire internal security force, his internal security apparatus, is entirely controlled by Cubans… It was Cubans that guarded Maduro. He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards. In terms of their internal intelligence… those are all Cubans.”
The comments, shared in a video clip by the U.S. Department of State on X (formerly Twitter), come amid heightened U.S. action in Venezuela. Maduro, indicted in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges, was captured in a brief military operation and is now in custody in New York. Rubio described the operation as a “law enforcement function” targeting transnational criminal organizations, emphasizing that it does not constitute a war against Venezuela.
The Secretary stressed that the U.S. is focused on protecting national interests, including curbing drug trafficking, sanctioning illicit oil exports, and preventing adversaries like Iran, Russia, China, and Hezbollah from operating in the Western Hemisphere. He reiterated that elections and a full democratic transition in Venezuela are long-term goals but “premature” at this stage, with immediate priorities centered on compliance from Venezuela’s interim leadership.
Rubio’s remarks on Cuba have fueled speculation about potential shifts in U.S. policy toward Havana, which has long been a key ally of the Maduro government. Cuban officials have not yet responded publicly to the comments.
The full interview with host Kristen Welker covered the ongoing situation in Venezuela, where the U.S. is enforcing an oil “quarantine” and maintaining pressure for reforms. Rubio clarified that no permanent U.S. troops are on the ground in Venezuela and that the administration is working with figures like Vice President Delcy Rodríguez for short-term stability.
This development marks a bold escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to Latin America, with Rubio — a longtime critic of both the Venezuelan and Cuban regimes — playing a central role in hemispheric policy.
About The Author
