On Friday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a powerful message through his official X account, signaling a significant shift in Washington's strategy towards Havana. He openly called for those seeking change in Cuba to discreetly collaborate with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
"For those aspiring to bring about positive change in Cuba: the time is now. Disillusionment with unfulfilled promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through discreet collaboration with the CIA," Rubio posted on X.
This level of transparency is rare in U.S. diplomacy, where intelligence operations are typically not part of public discourse.
The tweet appears to target disillusioned Cuban officials as well as ordinary citizens, and it comes as Washington's pressure on Havana has steadily increased throughout 2026.
An Unprecedented Year of Escalation
The timeline of this escalation is telling. In May, CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a secretive visit to Havana, meeting with the Cuban Minister of the Interior and the head of Cuban intelligence.
That same month, Rubio released a video message in Spanish, offering $100 million in food and medicine distributed through the Catholic Church — bypassing GAESA — and the United States announced it was preparing criminal charges against Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes.
In August, a New York Times investigation uncovered the creation of a secret CIA task force dedicated solely to Cuba. This team, comprising analysts, operations officers, cyber specialists, and covert influence staff, aims to exploit divisions within Cuba's political elite.
During that month, Cuba was classified as a "Priority 1" intelligence target by the United States, placing it in the same category as China, Iran, and Russia.
Rubio's Bold Address at the United Nations
In September, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Rubio described a "golden opportunity" for Cuba and indicated that Washington was ready to assist if Havana embraced genuine change.
On October 5, Rubio sent a direct message to the Cuban military apparatus, urging them to "open their eyes" to the regime's reality.
Friday’s tweet marks the most direct move yet: a public call to collaborate with the CIA, bypassing intermediaries and euphemisms.
Rubio has repeatedly warned that the Cuban government cannot string out negotiations until the end of the Trump administration. "You can't buy time," he said in May.
And on September 30, he was more explicit: those who believe they can hold out will, he warned, "learn the hard way."
The Cuban government, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, has so far resisted all pressures, refusing to yield to Washington's demands for political and economic reforms.
Key Questions on U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
What was the main message in Marco Rubio's recent tweet?
Marco Rubio's tweet urged those seeking change in Cuba to discreetly collaborate with the CIA to bring about positive change in the country.
How has U.S. pressure on Cuba escalated in 2026?
U.S. pressure on Cuba has escalated through secretive visits by U.S. officials, the creation of a CIA task force focused on Cuba, and public calls for collaboration with the CIA by Marco Rubio.
What did Rubio offer in his video message in May?
In May, Rubio offered $100 million in food and medicine to be distributed through the Catholic Church, circumventing GAESA.