Rubio Says Cuba Is 'Already Collapsing,' Calls for Political and Economic Change

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that Cuba is already "on the verge of collapse," arguing that the country's economy is dysfunctional and its government is no longer able to effectively serve its people.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Rubio said Cuba's political and economic system has failed to deliver meaningful benefits to its citizens and called for both political and economic reforms.

"The truth is, Cuba is already collapsing," Rubio said. "It has no functioning economy. And the people running the country continue to speak about a revolution that died 20 years ago."

Rubio criticized Cuba's governing system, saying it has been unable to build either a viable economy or an effective government.

"In every sense, Cuba is a failed state," he said.

Pointing to Cuba's prolonged economic crisis, Rubio cited the country's large-scale emigration as evidence of its decline. He claimed that since 2021, nearly 20 percent of Cuba's population has left the country, describing the exodus as a consequence of what he called the nation's "complete failure."

The U.S. secretary of state said Washington hopes Cuba will choose a different path.

According to Rubio, economic reforms alone will not fundamentally change the country's situation. He argued that political freedoms must accompany any economic transformation.

"There can be no economic freedom in Cuba without political freedom first," he said.

Rubio added that political and economic reforms should advance simultaneously and would require a transitional period to bring about meaningful change.