Rubio asks Cubans to form quiet ties with CIA

The U.S. Navy positioned a warship 50 yards from the Cuban coast on Friday, a distance President Donald Trump specified at a rally in South Florida. The placement followed Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s direct call for Cuban reformers to establish partnerships with the Central Intelligence Agency.

Rubio posted on X that the current moment offers a chance to create positive change. He cited the disappointment of failed promises and the privileged lives of a few as reasons to act. He urged readers to seize the opportunity through a discrete partnership with the CIA.

The CIA reposted the message in Spanish shortly after. The agency included a video that laid out the specific steps for contacting the intelligence service. This move marks the latest step in the administration’s push to remove Cuba’s government from power.

Cuban citizens face rising prices for basic goods and shrinking access to medical care. Reports indicate that people have waited hours in lines for bread and to see doctors. The U.S. government tightened economic pressure last week by targeting Cuba’s state-run bank with new sanctions. Washington said the institution had ties to Iran.

Trump described the naval maneuver at his campaign rally. He said U.S. Navy warships deployed near the Strait of Hormuz would pass Cuba. He stated that one ship would stop 50 yards off the coast. The sailors would raise their hands, and he would send Rubio to finish the deal.

Cuba’s government rejected the rhetoric on Friday. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla replied on X that the island rejects threats stemming from U.S. ambitions. He noted that the coastline is rugged and inhospitable to those with hostile intentions and a desire for domination.

The State Department and CIA coordinated the public appeal directly. The video guide provided a clear path for contact. The naval presence and the diplomatic call for partnership occurred on the same day. The U.S. government combined economic sanctions with military positioning and direct outreach to island residents.