Washington portrays Havana as a national security risk tied to Beijing and Moscow while insisting diplomacy remains possible
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenTeresa Elena Frontadoin WashingtonPublished: 5:16am, 22 May 2026One day after the United States brought criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raul Castro over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio portrayed Cuba as both a growing national security threat tied to China and Russia and a candidate for a negotiated political transition.The comments came amid renewed friction between Washington and Beijing over Cuba after China criticised the US charges against Castro and accused Washington of escalating pressure on Havana.
“China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and national dignity and opposes external interference.”
00:58Trump vows to ‘take’ Cuba as island reels from total power cut linked to oil embargo“Cuba not only has weapons that they’ve acquired from Russia and China over the years, but they also host Russian and Chinese intelligence presence in their country, not far from where we’re standing right now,” Rubio said during remarks in Homestead, south of Miami.
