Cuba has 'technocrats' ready to negotiate, says Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Cuba possesses "technocrats" who are prepared to negotiate for change, even as the island nation grapples with a profound economic crisis exacerbated by the U.S. embargo. Appearing before a House of Representatives committee, Rubio acknowledged the difficulty in finding willing partners within the communist government, which he characterized as "incompetent."

Rubio suggested that while ideological rigidity increases at higher levels of government, there are individuals within the system who recognize the unsustainability of the current situation. He commented, "Clearly, there are individuals within the apparatus of power that understand that what they have is not sustainable and that it must be rebuilt." However, he noted these individuals often lack the power or the know-how to implement necessary changes.

The U.S. has maintained its embargo on Cuba since 1962 and has recently intensified pressure, including charging former President Raúl Castro. Despite the tensions, both Washington and Havana have acknowledged high-level contacts, including a recent visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana. Rubio expressed a desire to avoid chaos in Cuba, drawing parallels to the transitions in the Czech Republic and Poland, emphasizing the importance of preserving societal institutions for stability.