Does Rubio have a point??

[VeguerosMAN]

https://www.wral.com/news/state/fact-check-marco-rubio-cuba-electricity-blackout-oil-blockade-june-1/

"As you know, better than anyone, you have been suffering from blackouts for years," he said. "The real reason you don’t have electricity, fuel or food is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people."

"The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil ‘blockade’ by the U.S.," Rubio said.

 

[BrightonCorgi]

100% correct.

[El Presidente]

 

https://en.granma.cu/cuba/2026-06-02/cuba-the-gae-and-the-united-states-anatomy-of-a-state-slander

The United States government has once again acted with premeditated intent in its eagerness to create pretexts to discredit the Cuban Revolution, its historical leadership, and its leaders, thereby confusing both our people and international public opinion.
Everything is part of a roadmap designed by far-right Cuban-American ideologues, who pride themselves on being creative and unpredictable. Their strategy centers on using tools that drastically and unprecedentedly escalate the policy of maximum pressure.
The most recent sanctions against Cuba, announced on May 1st, are part of this plan. Executive Order 14404 targets the Business Administration Group (GAE, in Spanish), this time in conjunction with so-called secondary sanctions aimed at any foreign actor conducting any type of transaction with this Group, with a particular emphasis on pressuring financial institutions.
This is the most intense, disproportionate and dangerous escalation in the recent history of relations between Cuba and the United States.
The deliberate goal is to isolate the country diplomatically, commercially, financially and energetically; make the sustainability of the nation impossible; condition dialogue and evaluate variants of military aggression. They need to build and consolidate a narrative of reputational discredit against all the institutions that support our social project.
The GAE was created during the Special Period to confront the economic war, with a creative, unique, and genuinely Cuban vision. Its objective has always been to bring together companies with the capacity to generate the foreign exchange and resources that the State requires to maintain and develop social achievements and contribute to the growth of various sectors and branches of national life.
The services rendered to the nation by the GAE are countless. The material and financial contributions of this organization can be seen in numerous examples: the construction of more than 10,000 homes in various provinces across the country, the creation of a Pioneer Camp and vacation programs for children, and the way in which the Cuban economy was sustained during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proceeds from this business activity have also been allocated to investments in the Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) thermoelectric plant in Holguín, and to the design and consolidation of major hydraulic works, including the East-West and North-South water transfer projects, for the benefit of millions of Cubans. Investments and repairs have also been made to polyclinics, family doctor's offices, and schools. All of these activities have been systematically reported to the leadership of the Party, the State, and the Government, and in every case, subject to the strictest control and oversight by the relevant authorities and mechanisms.
The GAE is not an opaque structure, nor is it parallel to the Cuban state; on the contrary, it has been a well-coordinated and provenly effective response to the economic blockade that has historically sought to stifle the Cuban Revolution.
As stated by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, at the 8th Party Congress, the business improvement process, initially developed within the Revolutionary Armed Forces, is a truly historic achievement. This experience later served the country, and its remarkable results contribute to the national economy.
Thousands of men and women, over the past 30 years, have been the unsung guardians of the nation's resources and deserve recognition. While their work hasn't been sufficiently acknowledged, it speaks for itself, rising above the state-sponsored slander orchestrated from Washington.
Today, as the will of the Cuban people is expressed in a process of change, contained in the Government's Economic and Social Program, this organization is an active part of the transformations of the country's business system.
The GAE is not the product of secrecy, nor of elites, and certainly not a means of enrichment for a select few. On the contrary, it is one of the many examples that, along our path, have allowed us to resist the constant aggression of the United States government. Its history was built, in the words of the Leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, "without the slightest desire for the limelight, as serious matters are done."

Havana, June 2, 2026

"Year of the Centennial of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz"

[Christophe]

Why is "blockade" in brackets in the article, as if there is no oil embargo? Is Rubio denying the existence of the Cuban oil embargo? Or the fact that will lead to blackouts? Even in countries with vast amounts of renewable or nuclear energy, a complete lack of oil will lead to significant energy issues. 

The worst part about liberal-democracy is the blatant lies from the talking heads, and we're all expected to act like we're stupid. I would respect these clowns a lot more if they just went ahead and said "Cuba is an island 90 miles off the coast of Florida, we can't have it non-aligned, we want it completely in our sphere of influence and we're gonna squeeze it until it is". That's the simple reality. Predating the Revolution and even Batista, actually. 
It's got nothing to do with corruption or human rights, or any of that other BS, concern for which is easily discarded by liberal-democracy (left or right) when they need a " maybe a bastard, but our bastard". It's not about the nationalization of businesses in the 60's, or communism; it's just realpolitik. 

And unfortunately for the Cubans, of all the countries the US has decided can't be sovereign or non-aligned in their geopolitical strategy, theirs is geographically the worst positioned.  

[ha_banos]

5 hours ago, Christophe said:

And unfortunately for the Cubans, of all the countries the US has decided can't be sovereign or non-aligned in their geopolitical strategy, theirs is geographically the worst positioned.  

The gulf of Mexico and the shipping lanes? I was just poking around and stumbled across this for the first time. Never thought about it before. Cuba sits across the US's strait of Hormuz basically!  He who controls Cuba holds the key to the promised land. 😂

Sorry, I thought I had posted this earlier. The sister of the head of Gaesa arrested in the US.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-arrests-sister-cuban-military-conglomerate-chief-2026-05-22/

[Christophe]

2 hours ago, ha_banos said:

The gulf of Mexico and the shipping lanes? I was just poking around and stumbled across this for the first time. Never thought about it before. Cuba sits across the US's strait of Hormuz basically!  He who controls Cuba holds the key to the promised land. 😂

Sorry, I thought I had posted this earlier. The sister of the head of Gaesa arrested in the US.

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-arrests-sister-cuban-military-conglomerate-chief-2026-05-22/

That, and its geographical proximity, and the fact it's on the Atlantic.

[cnov]

I'd say he's definitely simplified a very complicated situation. Pretty hard to breathe with someone standing on your throat. It seems painfully obvious that American sanctions are likely to be the blame of most of Cuba's economic problems. Sure, there are probably good reasons for those sanction once upon a time, and there a probably those in power in Cuba who are robbing the bank, but let's not pretend that all of Cuba's problems are home grown. 

[sactochris]

No.

[JohnnyO]

His focus is on being a media hog so that he can become the next president, meanwhile drawing away attention to the elephant in the room. Lies built on fantasies. Cuba is a military threat is his latest stance. How? Back in the day Fidel had a conversation with some Cuban military pilots with the plan to blow up Turkey Point Nuclear Plant in Homestead, FL. Its about 30 miles south of Miami. The plan was a suicide mission. 2 Migs would be sent, one was a decoy to go as far north it could. The other would be just behind it and do the bombing. Radiation would ensue with about a 50 mile radius. It was Fidel's idea to show the public that he was still in command. Nevermind Clinton's or Bush's reaction. This conversation was confirmed by former Cuban pilots that now live in the US. Fast forward 30 years later and those Migs and many others are in a graveyard. Is it still possible? Is Diaz Canel just as crazy? Maybe. But that is Rubio's premise and we are all just a bunch of schnooks that believe his fairy tales. Oh, and there is gasoline there but at $7-8/liter. 

[Dadof3]

The whole thing is playing out just the way the Iran situation is playing out. These ruling regimes don't care at all about the populations they govern. They will not suffer even if their citizens do. So they have no reason to surrender their power. Maybe the Cuban government is small enough the folks in charge can be bribed to leave but that's probably been offered at some point if I had to guess. I cannot imagine that living in Havana is better than being a billionaire in Switzerland with a second home on Spain's coast for the summer months but that's just me. I guess for some folks the small amount of power they can wield is their only happiness. As a group we humans are capable of beauty and such stupidity you wonder how we can also create the beautiful things.  

[Christophe]

4 hours ago, Dadof3 said:

The whole thing is playing out just the way the Iran situation is playing out. These ruling regimes don't care at all about the populations they govern.  They will not suffer even if their citizens do. 

The idea that people like Keir Starmer or Donald Trump or any elites in liberal-democracy somehow care about the plebs more than what are dubbed "regimes", is beyond gullible; and the idea they have ever sacrificed anything is demonstrably false. They're literally all draft-dodgers and silver-spoon-fed nepo-babies, for starters. 

Meanwhile, most of the elites of these "regimes" are actually veterans of brutal (civil) wars and national revolutions, they have sacrificed in those struggles, and they are objectively targeted together with their families today e.g. former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in his house, together with half his family, including granddaughter, by the US and Israel. 

You can level a lot of accusations at these people, but that they don't know struggle, suffering or personal sacrifice, ain't one of 'em.

[SUP8333]

Well they could prove it by lifting the embargo and if this was still the situation.

[Khimerah]

Personally, I blame the USA and Cuba, but Cuba primarily. The USA needs to reconcile with Cuba like it did with Vietnam, but Cuba needs to prioritize its citizens. There were a few points in history where we were very close to normalizing relations, I do think if that had happened there would be much better conditions. 

[El Presidente]

I am fairly confident Diaz and Co have little concern for the Cuban populace right now outside of keeping them under the heel. 

Their strategy is to make it to November and hope for a midterm rout.  

They have to hold on for 20 more weeks. Iran has shown them the playbook. 

 

[El Presidente]

Heads up. 

Members are free to discuss the topic as it is indeed Cuba/US related. 

However, members may need to work on how they present their "arguments" so that such "arguments" are presented in a manner that is enlightening and in no way aggressive. 

FOH is not X. Do better. 

[Dadof3]

2 hours ago, Khimerah said:

Personally, I blame the USA and Cuba, but Cuba primarily. The USA needs to reconcile with Cuba like it did with Vietnam, but Cuba needs to prioritize its citizens. There were a few points in history where we were very close to normalizing relations, I do think if that had happened there would be much better conditions. 

That's an excellent point. If the US could work things out with Vietnam they should be able to work it out with Cuba. I guess the issue is whether the US can agree on some reforms for Cuba and leave the government there intact? My guess is that if the Cuban government said they would distance themselves from Russian and Chinese influence if the US took over the subsidies they receive from those countries they'd have a lot of common ground at that point. I don't think the US anticipates a complete change in how Cuba is governed but I'm sure they want a neighbor that is not so friendly with the bigger rivals of the US. I question whether the Cuban community in the US will accept anything less than a regime change coupled with some sort of recognition of their old property rights.

[Dadof3]

14 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Heads up. 

Members are free to discuss the topic as it is indeed Cuba/US related. 

However, members may need to work on how they present their "arguments" so that such "arguments" are presented in a manner that is enlightening and in no way aggressive. 

FOH is not X. Do better. 

I thought I handled it pretty well given I was the one being attacked.  

[ThePolskiOgorki]

Definitely not the whole story. Certainly sounds a lot like what an opposing country would say to explain why the world now has +30% higher prices for fuel among other things too. Maybe change some words around a little, but you get the idea.

The whole "Threat to National Security" story that is also being served up as justification is a rebrand of "Weapons of Mass Destruction". And that is a two way street anyway. Just look into Operation Northwood if you don't know what it was about. Nobody here is lily white. 

I do think Team Bozo in Cuba needs to go. They are in there like a bad stink and there is no way to get them out without everyday citizens suffering in some way. Who here knows what the best version of that suffering should be? I don't and I wouldn't want the job to try to figure that out.    

 

[Dadof3]

10 hours ago, ThePolskiOgorki said:

Definitely not the whole story. Certainly sounds a lot like what an opposing country would say to explain why the world now has +30% higher prices for fuel among other things too. Maybe change some words around a little, but you get the idea.

The whole "Threat to National Security" story that is also being served up as justification is a rebrand of "Weapons of Mass Destruction". And that is a two way street anyway. Just look into Operation Northwood if you don't know what it was about. Nobody here is lily white. 

I do think Team Bozo in Cuba needs to go. They are in there like a bad stink and there is no way to get them out without everyday citizens suffering in some way. Who here knows what the best version of that suffering should be? I don't and I wouldn't want the job to try to figure that out.    

 

The issue with "national security" is it allows a blanket justification that they do not have to particularize because of the "security" threat. The same reason the US government has never been willing to disclose the real files it has on UFOs. I suspect most of it is memos saying that their experimental test craft were mistaken for UFOs and they don't want that getting out.  

[ThePolskiOgorki]

10 hours ago, Dadof3 said:

The issue with "national security" is it allows a blanket justification that they do not have to particularize because of the "security" threat.  The same reason the US government has never been willing to disclose the real files it has on UFOs.  I suspect most of it is memos saying that their experimental test craft were mistaken for UFOs and they don't want that getting out.  

Right. Its all bull$#!+, from everyone, all the time. You just have to decide what flavour you like. Lots of choices. More then Baskin Robbins even. 

[El Presidente]

10 hours ago, Dadof3 said:

I thought I handled it pretty well given I was the one being attacked.  

You thought wrong. Try harder. 

[chris12381]

Rubio is correct. Cuba's grid has failed structurally, and that failure is not sanctions-related. Nearly all domestically produced crude goes directly to power generation, meaning Cuba has never been without some oil supply for its plants. Cuba was already suffering prolonged blackouts in 2024, while Venezuelan oil was still arriving, before the Trump blockade, before any of the January 2026 escalation. The fact that the grid was failing even when fuel was flowing proves the structural failure is primary. The plants are simply falling apart. You could restore full oil supplies tomorrow and the lights still would not stay on.

The honest assessment is that nothing on that island will function as it should for a very long time. Even if a deal is reached tomorrow, investment takes years to translate into actual generation capacity. This is a multi-decade problem in all sectors of the economy.  Except maybe in the hotels. For some mysterious reason, those continued to be built right into 2026. Odd, isn't it?  

[ha_banos]

Meanwhile in the world of Kirby and the cigar masters. Everything's fiiiine. I can't believe he's still pushing Cuba content like this right now. Just feels so tone deaf.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZIilb0JQ-p/?igsh=MXhmbWg2ang1OWJocg==

[VeguerosMAN]

Cuba will abandon fossil fuels all together and go straight to solar power as their main source of energy and lead the clean energy revolution that the world will envy in the near future. Perhaps that's what the regime is doing - transitioning from oil to solar.

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Cuba-Bets-on-Solar-Power-as-Energy-Crisis-Deepens.html

[VeguerosMAN]

11 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I am fairly confident Diaz and Co have little concern for the Cuban populace right now outside of keeping them under the heel. 

Their strategy is to make it to November and hope for a midterm rout.  

They have to hold on for 20 more weeks. Iran has shown them the playbook. 

Similar playbook, but Iran has oil ( maybe for now?), and Cuba doesn't. I don't know whether people will stay civil until November when they are dealing with 22 hour blackouts daily.