US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Cubans who want political change to establish what he described as a discreet partnership with the CIA. The appeal comes as the Trump administration continues to pressure Havana and openly discusses changing Cuba’s leadership.
Rubio made the call in a social media post, saying that people seeking “positive change” should act now. His comments place covert cooperation with US intelligence at the centre of Washington’s message to Cuban opponents of the government.
What Marco Rubio said about Cuba
Rubio cited frustration over unfulfilled promises, corruption and what he portrayed as unequal privilege in Cuba. He encouraged those seeking change to work discreetly with the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States’ foreign intelligence service.
The statement did not set out a formal policy programme or announce a new legal measure. It was a public political appeal directed at Cubans who may have access to information or influence inside the country.
The CIA has separately published guidance for people who want to make contact. The advice tells potential sources to avoid using a device or internet connection connected to their identity or workplace. It also instructs them to remove software and applications from the device used for communication.
People contacting the agency are asked to provide information including:
- Their general location
- Their job title
- The type or level of access they have to information of interest
US pressure on Havana
The appeal is part of a wider campaign by the Trump administration to increase pressure on Cuba. The administration has repeatedly stated that it wants political change in Havana, while President Donald Trump has said Cuba is vulnerable to a leadership shift.
In January, Trump announced an oil blockade targeting Cuba after a US military operation involving the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to the source report. Trump argued that Cuba had depended for years on oil and financial support from Venezuela and warned that further assistance would be cut off.
Trump later suggested that Washington and Havana could reach an agreement without military action. Speaking to reporters in September, he said he expected the United States and Cuba to make a deal and indicated that military intervention would not be necessary.
Why the CIA appeal matters
A public invitation to potential intelligence contacts is unusual because intelligence recruitment is normally conducted covertly. Rubio’s wording makes the appeal part of the administration’s broader political pressure campaign and signals that Washington is seeking information and cooperation from people inside Cuba.
The message also raises practical and legal risks for any Cuban who responds. Contact with a foreign intelligence service could expose individuals to surveillance, arrest or prosecution under Cuban law. The source material does not confirm that anyone has responded to the appeal or that a new intelligence operation has begun.
For the United States, the move could increase pressure on Cuba but may also deepen tensions between Washington and Havana. It comes against a backdrop of threatened economic measures, hostile political messaging and public debate over whether the administration might pursue a negotiated settlement or stronger action.
What happens next
The immediate impact of Rubio’s statement remains unclear. No formal change to US law or diplomatic relations was announced, and the appeal does not itself establish a new government policy or guarantee any action by the CIA.
Further developments could include additional economic pressure, renewed diplomatic contacts or more public statements from Washington about Cuba’s leadership. Any confirmed operational activity would require separate verification from the relevant authorities.
European governments and the European Union are not directly responsible for the US policy described here. However, developments involving Cuba and Washington can have wider diplomatic implications, particularly for transatlantic relations and European foreign-policy coordination.
Key points
- Marco Rubio called on Cubans seeking political change to form a discreet partnership with the CIA.
- The Trump administration has repeatedly said it wants a change in Havana’s leadership.
- The CIA has published security guidance for people attempting to contact it.
- No confirmed response from Cuban individuals or new intelligence operation was reported.
- The statement comes amid continuing US economic and political pressure on Cuba.
Conclusion
Rubio’s appeal represents a sharp escalation in the public rhetoric surrounding US policy towards Cuba. It is not a new law or confirmed operational announcement, but it signals that Washington is encouraging direct cooperation with Cuban opponents of the government as pressure on Havana continues.