Cuban spy one of US's biggest intelligence failures, Rubio says, accuses Cuba of funding protesters

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that Cuba maintains an extensive spy and influence network targeting the United States, describing it as an "espionage and influence superpower." Rubio highlighted the case of Ana Belén Montes, a former ambassador convicted of spying for Cuba, as one of the most significant intelligence failures for the U.S. and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Rubio claimed that Cuba has consistently embedded spies within U.S. systems without compensation. He further alleged that Cuba has played a role in influencing numerous communist left-wing insurgencies across Latin America over the past four decades. The Secretary of State also accused Cuba of actively funding and organizing protests within the U.S., supporting movements such as Antifa, Hamas, and opposition to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, as well as U.S. immigration policies.

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People forget that when it comes to things like espionage and influence operations, they actually are an influence and espionage superpower.

According to Rubio, these protests are part of a network where Cuba plays a critical role. He suggested that Cuba leverages sympathizers within American academia and the press to recruit spies. Rubio's remarks were made during an interview with Fox News, where he detailed his views on Cuba's ongoing operations against U.S. interests.

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It [these protests] is funded, it is organized, and Cuba is a part of that network, and in some cases a critical part of that network.