So far the island’s dictatorship has not commented on the Secretary of State’s offer.
MIAMI.-The Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubioexpressed in your X account that his country “is prepared to offer immediate humanitarian aid to the Cuban people affected by the hurricane.” The message comes in the midst of a devastating panorama in the east of the island, where, although the authorities have not yet offered an official report of damage, there are many images of destroyed homes, entire communities under water, people who have lost everything, missing and incommunicado.
The powerful hurricane hit Cuba with category three from early morning until the afternoon of Wednesday, October 29, specifically the eastern region.
The aftermath of Melissa has aggravated the severe economic crisis that Cuba is going through, which keeps the population enduring prolonged blackouts, as well as shortages of fuel, medicine and food. So far the island’s dictatorship has not commented on the Cuban-American politician’s offer.
Rubio, known for his critical stance towards dictatorships in the region – including the Cuban one – has been a firm defender of political prisoners and the cause of freedom on the island.
On July 3, he sent a message through the United States Embassy addressed directly to the Cuban people: “I want you to know that we support you, that we always have your cause at the forefront of everything and that we talk about you in all places where you give us the opportunity. We pray every day that God bless you and that Cuba will soon be free, sovereign and independent, with its destiny in the hands of the people.”
Days later, Rubio sent another message to a group of Cuban journalists and opponents gathered at the embassy, where he recalled the uprising of July 11, 2021 as “a turning point in the history of Cuba.” “July 11, 2021 marked a change, a new era for Cuba. And I know that those videos of the Cuban people in the streets demanding freedom and the end of an illegitimate dictatorship are the best explanation for those, outside the island, who love freedom and maintain hope for a free Cuba,” he declared.
The Secretary of State recognized the courage of those who continue to resist within the country: “Those Cubans who do not give up inspire us every day. I know that it is an enormous risk to face this regime that punishes their families and makes their lives impossible. But I want you to know that you have our support, the support of our embassy and of a community in the United States that knows that you suffer from the shortage of everything – medicines, electricity and food – and that understands that all of this is the result of a regime that does not know how to govern, that only seeks to stay in the country. power.”
