U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Proposes New U.S.-Cuba Relationship, Offers $100M in Food and Medicine

According to Axios, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 20 addressed the Cuban people via video on their Independence Day, marking his first direct speech to Cuban citizens since taking office. Rubio criticized the Cuban government for embezzling billions of dollars that should have gone to address shortages of electricity, fuel, and food. He stated that the Trump administration is committed to building a new relationship with Cuba directly with its people, and announced $100 million in food and medicine assistance to be distributed by the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable organizations.

The Cuban government has attributed the country's economic hardship to the long-standing U.S. embargo, new sanctions from the Trump administration, and the loss of free oil supplies previously provided by Venezuela.