Rubio urges Cubans to partner with CIA as Trump floats sending warships past Cuba
Photo: The Guardian USSecretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change on Friday to enter a "discrete partnership" with the CIA, saying in a post on X that "now is the time." He cited the "disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few." The post did not name a specific operation, explain what cooperation would involve, or say how Cubans should contact the agency.
The message came shortly after President Donald Trump told a midterm rally in Fort Myers, Florida, that US warships returning from the Iran war could stop near Cuba. He was answering a shouted question from the crowd. Trump first floated the idea earlier this year but had not mentioned it in recent months. Fox News reported he also suggested sending Rubio to the island to negotiate a deal. Havana responded by mocking what it called the Trump administration's "desperation," according to France 24.
The Guardian US, the left-leaning outlet, leads with Rubio's "now is the time" line and puts it directly after Trump's rally remarks. It adds that the rally came days before midterm elections in which voters worry about Iran war effects on gas and grocery prices, quotes Trump's "little stopover" comment, and notes Rubio's apparent misuse of "discrete." The right-leaning Washington Examiner and Fox News lead with Rubio's appeal. The Examiner places it within a year of rising pressure on Cuba's communist government and recalls past CIA recruitment videos aimed at Russia and China. Fox stresses Rubio's Cuban-immigrant parentage and long hawkish record, and links to stories on Cuban espionage and sanctions. Both sides quote the same post and note it lacked operational detail. They differ in context: the left stresses the war and elections, and the right stresses the continuity of pressure on Havana. The right does not mention the spelling issue.
How the sides differ Left sources pair Rubio's post with Trump's warship remarks and midterm context; right sources stress Rubio's Cuban heritage, CIA recruitment precedents and pressure on Havana.
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The Guardian US leads with Rubio's "now is the time" message and ties it to Trump's rally remarks about warships, midterm politics and Iran war costs, adding the spelling point.
- France 24US seeks to topple Cuba's government
The Hill relays Rubio's post as a CIA partnership offer; France 24 adds Havana's response mocking Washington's "desperation."
Washington Examiner and Fox News lead with Rubio's appeal, adding CIA recruitment precedents, Rubio's Cuban heritage and tough record, and ongoing US pressure on Cuba's communist government.