Background on Key Figures and Context
Marco Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida, has been a prominent figure in U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba and Venezuela. As the chairman of the Senate Committee on the Western Hemisphere, Drug Policy, and Organized Crime, Rubio has been vocal about his stance against the Cuban and Venezuelan governments. His influence in shaping U.S. policy towards these nations has made him a significant target for criticism from Cuba and its allies.
U.S. Military Deployment in the Caribbean
Recent reports suggest that the U.S. has deployed naval forces to the Caribbean under President Donald Trump’s administration. The stated purpose of this deployment is to counter Latin American drug cartels that the U.S. has designated as “global terrorist organizations.” Senator Marco Rubio, when questioned about these reports, did not deny them.
Cuba’s Response to the U.S. Deployment
On Monday, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez strongly criticized the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, alleging that it aims to exert pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
The U.S. views President Nicolás Maduro as one of the “biggest drug traffickers in the world” and offers a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Rodríguez denounced the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean, stating that it serves a “corrupt agenda” driven by Secretary of State’s office.
“We denounce the presence of U.S. naval and air forces in the southern Caribbean, operating under false pretenses to support the corrupt agenda of the Secretary of State,” Rodríguez said on his Twitter account.
Furthermore, Rodríguez emphasized that “Latin America and the Caribbean must be respected as a zone of peace.” Cuba, an ally of Venezuela, supports this stance.
Venezuelan Response to U.S. Allegations
Last week, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello rejected the U.S. accusations, stating that “the only drug cartel operating in plain sight is the DEA” – referring to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Marco Rubio? Marco Rubio is a U.S. Senator from Florida, known for his strong stance against the Cuban and Venezuelan governments. As chairman of the Senate Committee on the Western Hemisphere, Drug Policy, and Organized Crime, he has played a significant role in shaping U.S. policy towards these nations.
- What is the purpose of the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean? The U.S. claims that the deployment aims to counter Latin American drug cartels designated as “global terrorist organizations” by Washington.
- How has Cuba responded to the U.S. military deployment? Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized the deployment, alleging it serves a “corrupt agenda” of the U.S. State Department and aims to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- What is Venezuela’s stance on U.S. allegations? Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello rejected U.S. accusations, stating that the DEA is the only visible drug cartel.
