Writing Friday afternoon on social media, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans to work with the CIA to bring about change in their country. Reposting Rubio’s message and a video, the CIA instructed Cubans how to connect with the agency.
Earlier in the day, at a rally in Fort Myers, Florida, President Trump said of U.S. Navy warships returning from the Middle East: “Those beautiful ships will pass Cuba. We’ll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast. They’ll raise up their hands, and then we’re going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal.”
President Donald Trump said the U.S. will “take care of #Cuba” on its way back from #Iran.
“And then we’re going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal,” he said. https://t.co/rBytCy6T0o
— The National Desk (@TND) October 24, 2026
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez posted Friday: “We reject all threats regarding U.S. ambitions toward Cuba. On our shores, there are beautiful beaches, but also dogtooth, inhospitable to those who arrive with hostile intentions and desires for domination.”
Rechazamos toda amenaza sobre ambiciones de EEUU hacia Cuba.
En nuestras costas hay bellas playas, pero también diente de perro, inhóspito para quienes llegan con fines hostiles y ansias de dominación.
#CubaNoEsUnaAmenaza El Bloqueo Sí https://t.co/xGT73y5ojC
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) October 23, 2026
Rubio posted later Friday: “To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba – now is the time. The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete [sic] partnership with the CIA.”
To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba – now is the time.
The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 23, 2026
The CIA reposted Rubio’s message later, adding its own wording: “To those seeking to create positive change in Cuba – This is the moment. The disappointment of failed promises, the corruption, and the privileged lives of a few – Seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discreet partnership with the CIA.”
“A aquellos que buscan crear un cambio positivo en Cuba – Este es el momento. La decepción de las promesas fallidas, la corrupción, y las vidas privilegiadas de unos pocos – Aprovecha esta oportunidad de crear el cambio que deseas a través de una asociación discreta con la CIA.” https://t.co/KYaksHGFLm
— CIA (@CIA) October 24, 2026
The agency also posted a video in Spanish with instructions, advising people who can travel safely to visit a U.S. embassy in person. The CIA also urged those who want to avoid detection when cooperating with the U.S. agency through online channels to use a virtual private network (VPN) and untraceable email accounts.
Cuban officials mocked the appeal. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío wrote on X: “Now the United States is resorting to public recruitment for the CIA… There must be a great deal of desperation or misery within the agency for it to be forced to sell its services like a tube of toothpaste.”
[NOTE: Journalist Eli Clifton, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, responded to Rubio’s post with one word: “Discrete.” Unlike “discreet” — the word the CIA used, meaning careful to avoid attracting attention — Rubio’s “discrete” means separate or distinct.]
Ahora EEUU se apea con reclutamientos públicos de la CIA. Debe haber mucho desespero o pobreza en la filas de la agencia cuando tiene que vender sus ofrecimientos como pasta de dientes.
— Carlos F. de Cossio (@CarlosFdeCossio) October 24, 2026
[NOTE: CBS News reported: “A strict U.S. embargo and sanctions seeking to put pressure on Cuba’s communist government have led to prices of basic goods skyrocketing and decreased access to medical care for its citizens. Cubans reported waiting in bread lines for hours and others reported lining up to see a doctor.”]