U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a video addressing Cubans on the island on Wednesday, the anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Cuba in 1902.
Rubio blamed Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., or GAESA, a secretive business megaconglomerate owned and operated by the Cuban military, for the failings on the island.
“Today, while you suffer, these businessmen have $18 billion in assets and control 70% of Cuba’s economy,” Rubio said. “They profit from hotels, construction, banks, stores, and even from the money your relatives send you from the U.S.”
Rubio said GAESA’s profit wasn’t for every day Cubans on the island because those who control it created a small elite class.
“They buy fuel for their generators and their vehicles, while the people are asked to sacrifice,” Rubio said.
Rubio blamed the ongoing fuel crisis and power outages on the leaders of GAESA.
“Instead of using the money to maintain and modernize the damaged power plants, they use the money to build more hotels for foreigners and to send their relatives to live in luxury in Madrid and even here in the United States,” Rubio said.
The Cuban government, Rubio said, represses anyone who dares to complain. He added that President Donald Trump wants to change the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba.
“It must be directly with you, the Cuban people, not with GAESA,” Rubio said. “First, we are offering $100 million in food and medicine for you, the people ... distributed directly to the Cuban people by the Catholic church or other trusted charitable groups.”
Watch the complete video
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