Rubio urges Cubans to partner with CIA as US pressure on Cuba mounts
The gist
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Cubans seeking change to work with the CIA.
The outreach comes as Cuba faces blackouts, fuel shortages and new US sanctions.
How it unfolded
- Jan 3, 2026The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and forced Venezuela to stop sending oil to Cuba.
- Jan 29, 2026U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national security emergency on Cuba and threatening tariffs on countries that supply it oil.
- Mar 17, 2026Cuba scrambled to restore power after a nationwide blackout; a CARE Cuba director said Havana looked like a ghost town, with residents getting electricity two to three hours a day.