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HAVANA: Cuba on Friday mocked what it called US \u201cdesperation\u201d after Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to establish discreet ties with the CIA, as President Donald Trump renewed suggestions of possible US military intervention on the communist-run island.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow the United States is resorting to public recruitment for the CIA,\u201d Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio wrote on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be a great deal of desperation or misery within the agency for it to be forced to sell its services like a tube of toothpaste,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Rubio made his appeal in a social media post, urging Cubans dissatisfied with their government to seize what he described as an opportunity for change.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo those who seek to create positive change in Cuba \u2014 now is the time,\u201d Rubio wrote, citing what he called failed promises, corruption and the privileged lives of a few.<\/p>\n
He encouraged them to pursue change through a \u201cdiscreet partnership with the CIA.\u201d<\/p>\n
The agency subsequently posted a Spanish-language video on X explaining how people could submit information. It advised potential sources to visit an official US installation in person if they could do so safely, or to use a secure internet connection, a private browser and a disposable email account when contacting the agency online.<\/p>\n
The public appeal came hours after Trump revived the prospect of military intervention in Cuba during a rally in Florida.<\/p>\n
Trump said US warships returning from the war with Iran could stop off the Cuban coast before he sent Rubio to \u201cfinish up the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose beautiful (US military) ships will pass Cuba. We\u2019ll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast,\u201d Trump said. \u201cThey\u2019ll raise up their hands. And then we\u2019re going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of action against Cuba, while his administration has increased economic and political pressure on the island.<\/p>\n
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed the president\u2019s remarks, warning that the country\u2019s coastline would pose dangers to anyone arriving with hostile intentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination,\u201d Rodriguez wrote on X.<\/p>\n
Pressure mounts on Havana<\/strong><\/p>\n Washington has pursued a tougher approach toward Cuba as efforts to improve relations have stalled. The administration has imposed additional sanctions and maintained a de facto energy blockade introduced in January, threatening penalties against countries supplying fuel to the island of about 9.4 million people.<\/p>\n The latest escalation also comes amid legal action against former Cuban President Raul Castro, 95. Florida\u2019s top prosecutor announced an arrest warrant this week on state murder charges connected to the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft operated by Brothers to the Rescue, an organization that assisted Cubans fleeing to the United States.<\/p>\n Castro was also indicted on federal charges related to the incident in May. The Cuban government has rejected the federal case, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel calling it legally unfounded and accusing Washington of seeking to justify military aggression.<\/p>\n Trump previously cited US criminal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as part of the justification for the operation that toppled him. Maduro was a close ally of Havana.<\/p>\n The United States and Cuba have held talks in recent months, but Washington has expressed dissatisfaction with their progress. Trump has portrayed Cuba as a potential target for stronger action after the conflict with Iran, while Rubio has questioned whether a diplomatic settlement is possible under the island\u2019s current leadership.<\/p>\n Cuba has been grappling with a prolonged economic and energy crisis, marked by power outages, shortages, inflation and emigration. The US embargo, in place for decades, remains a central source of tension between the two countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n