WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been holding secret talks with Raul Castro, the grandson of Cuba’s former leader, Fidel Castro, according to multiple reports.
It’s a move that has drawn criticism from at least one Republican lawmaker and raised questions about U.S. strategy toward the communist island.
“Raulito appears to be Raul’s favorite grandson so in essence it’s kind of a quasi official line of communication with the people that are really running Cuba which is still the Castro regime,” said U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R‑Fla., referring to the younger Castro.
A senior Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Axios that “our position — the U.S. government’s position — is the regime has to go. But what exactly that looks like is up to (President Donald Trump) and he has yet to decide. Rubio is still in talks with the grandson.”
Gimenez acknowledged the delicate nature of the discussions but said he understands why the secretary of state has pursued them.
“I’m not real comfortable with him talking to him but I understand why he’s doing — all we want is this regime to go, all the Cuban people want is freedom,” Gimenez said.
Gimenez also labeled the Castros as “thugs” and said that for more than six decades, the Cuban people have been oppressed and trapped under a failing regime, a point echoed by the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. believes Cuba must undertake dramatic changes.
“Their country is collapsing and that’s why we believe it’s in their very best interest to make dramatic changes soon,” Leavitt said.
Trump, who has not publicly addressed the reported talks, has previously described Cuba as a “failed nation.”
Trump has also declined to say whether he is considering an operation in Cuba similar to the one in Venezuela that led to the capture and arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s embattled leader.
As tensions continue to mount on the island amid a U.S. blockade of oil shipments, Leavitt said the long‑term goal remains clear.
“It’s in the United States’ best interest to have Cuba be a truly free and prosperous democracy unfortunately right now that is not the case,” she said.
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