Rubio refuses to rule out US military action against Cuba
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (photo: Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not rule out a military scenario regarding Cuba. He doubts diplomacy, Rubio said, according to The Guardian.
According to Rubio, US President Donald Trump always prefers a peaceful agreement reached through negotiations.
"That's always our preference. That remains our preference with Cuba," the Secretary of State said.
However, he acknowledged that there are few chances for a diplomatic resolution of the situation.
"I'm just being honest with you, you know, the likelihood of that happening, given who we're dealing with right now, is not high," Rubio said.
When asked whether the United States would use force in Cuba to change the island's political system, Rubio repeated that a diplomatic settlement is preferable.
However, he noted that "the president always has the option to do whatever it takes to support and protect the national interest."
Trump wants to seize Cuba
Recently, Donald Trump has been making increasingly frequent statements regarding Cuba. Earlier, he repeatedly noted that after Iran, the Caribbean island nation could become the next priority of US foreign policy.
During a speech before members of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, the head of the White House said that Washington seeks to establish control over Cuba "almost immediately."
Trump's team has also begun discussing scenarios of possible forceful pressure on Havana, including not ruling out a military strike.
Meanwhile, the Cuban authorities do not intend to give in without resistance. Cuba had purchased drones to strengthen its defense capabilities amid tensions in relations with the United States.
