Washington | September 29, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains hopeful that Cuba will “choose a different path,” while warning Cuban officials who believe they can simply wait for President Donald Trump’s administration to end that they could face further consequences.
Rubio made the comments Monday during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, as the Trump administration continues to increase pressure on Havana and calls for changes to Cuba’s political system.
“We are hopeful that Cuba will choose a different path,” Rubio said, adding that Washington hoped people within the Cuban government would recognize the situation facing the country and consider changing course.
Rubio also warned those in Cuba who believe they can wait out the current U.S. administration without making changes.
Washington Steps Up Pressure
The comments come amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and Havana.
The Trump administration has previously stated that it wants fundamental political change in Cuba. U.S. pressure has included an oil blockade imposed earlier this year, which has contributed to fuel shortages and power outages on the island, according to Reuters.
Cuba is also dealing with longstanding economic difficulties and deteriorating infrastructure, further complicating the impact of the restrictions.
The United States has maintained an embargo against Cuba for more than six decades, dating back to the period following Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. The Trump administration has significantly increased pressure on Havana during 2026.
Cuba Says It Is Open to Dialogue
Rubio's comments came days after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez addressed the United Nations General Assembly.
Rodríguez said Cuba remained open to dialogue with Washington, despite the escalating confrontation between the two governments.
The diplomatic positions of the two countries remain sharply different. Washington is demanding political change, while Havana has continued to defend its government and criticize U.S. economic measures.
The issue also featured prominently during Trump's UN General Assembly address, when the U.S. president described Cuba as a failed state and said his administration was seeking fundamental change on the island. The Cuban delegation walked out during his remarks.
Trump Predicts a Deal
Despite the escalating pressure, Trump said over the weekend that he expected the United States and Cuba to reach an agreement.
“I would say that Cuba and us will make a deal. I don't think we'll need the military,” Trump told reporters on September 26.
That statement contrasts with the administration's increasingly forceful rhetoric toward Havana and leaves open the possibility of negotiations alongside continued economic pressure.
Rubio has also previously said that Washington is prepared to engage with Cuban officials willing to pursue political and economic changes.
During remarks in New York earlier this month, Rubio said the United States was open to measures that could begin a process of change in Cuba, while acknowledging that such a transition would not happen overnight.
Venezuela Also on Washington’s Agenda
In the same Fox News interview, Rubio also addressed Venezuela.
He said Washington wants to see free and fair elections in Venezuela and is working to establish conditions for such a vote, although he did not provide a specific timeline.
The comments come as the Trump administration continues to pursue a broader policy of political pressure and regional engagement in the Caribbean and Latin America.
A New Phase in US-Cuba Relations
Rubio's latest remarks underscore the uncertainty surrounding the future of U.S.-Cuba relations.
Washington is demanding political change while maintaining significant economic pressure, whereas Havana has indicated that it remains willing to engage in dialogue.
At the same time, Trump's prediction that an agreement can be reached without military action suggests that diplomacy remains one possible route despite the increasingly confrontational rhetoric.
For now, Rubio's message is that Washington expects Cuba's leadership to respond to the pressure rather than simply wait for the Trump administration's term to end.
Whether that pressure produces negotiations, political changes or a further escalation in relations remains an open question.
