Cuba Warned Following U.S. Military Action in Venezuela
On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Cuban leaders should be nervous after the U.S. military operation in Venezuela led to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro. This follows President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the administration might turn its focus towards Cuba.
Historically, Cuba has maintained a strong presence in Venezuela, with intelligence and security ties that have bolstered their relationship.
Rubio, whose parents are Cuban immigrants, noted that Venezuela’s intelligence community, much like Maduro’s security forces, is largely filled with Cubans. “One of the biggest problems that Venezuelans face is declaring their independence from Cuba,” he remarked at a news conference discussing the military operation. “They’ve essentially tried to colonize things from a security perspective.”
He didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Cuban government, labeling it a disaster ruled by “incompetent, senile” individuals, and sometimes even those who aren’t old but are still incompetent.
Rubio has often referred to Cuba’s leadership as a dictatorship and a failed regime. “If I were in Havana and part of the government, I think I’d be a bit concerned,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, Trump described Cuba as “a very badly failed nation” and mentioned that his administration will eventually address the situation there.
In a related development, U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken to Iwo Jima. They are anticipated to be extradited to the U.S. to face serious charges.
According to an indictment revealed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the couple, along with other Venezuelan officials, is facing charges related to “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy,” as they are accused of collaborating with drug cartels to smuggle drugs into the United States.
Bondi asserted that the Maduros would soon confront the consequences of their actions in U.S. courts on American soil. The charges include conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of a machine gun, and more serious allegations against the nation.
