Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Cubans seeking political change to cooperate discreetly with the CIA, issuing a direct public appeal as President Donald Trump separately floated sending Rubio to Cuba to negotiate with the communist government.

The remarks placed Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a longtime critic of Havana’s communist leadership, at the center of two striking messages aimed at the island. Rubio focused on cooperation with U.S. intelligence, while Trump talked about ships approaching Cuba and Rubio completing a deal.

Rubio delivered his appeal Friday in a post on X. “To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba - now is the time,” he wrote.

He followed with a sharper call centered on public frustration with Cuba’s political system. “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 discreet 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

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Rubio’s message explicitly encouraged Cubans to work with the U.S. intelligence agency. However, he did not identify any particular operation, describe how Cubans should establish such a partnership, or explain what the requested cooperation would involve.

The secretary of state has long favored a tougher U.S. posture toward the Cuban government. As a former Florida senator, Rubio became a prominent critic of the communist leadership in Havana and opposed attempts to normalize relations without accompanying political reforms.

Trump addressed Cuba from a different angle during a midterm rally in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. While discussing Iran, the president raised the possibility that U.S. ships could stop near Cuba.

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“Don't worry. We'll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran with it. We'll do a little stopover now. We'll do a little stopover,” Trump told the rally crowd.

Trump then described ships passing the island and one stopping close to its coast. “Actually, what we're going to do with Cuba is we're going to come back from Iran. 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.”

The president did not explain whether those remarks represented an actual military or diplomatic plan. He also did not provide details about what kind of agreement the United States might seek from Cuba.

Trump nevertheless suggested that Rubio would be the person to handle any resulting negotiations. The president praised his secretary of state and portrayed him as capable of resolving the matter without the ships needing to remain.

“And then we're going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal. We'll have Marco. Marco. We don't even have to stop. We could just put him in there, and he'll figure it out. He's a great guy.”

Trump: "We'll take care of Cuba on our way back from Iran. We'll do a little stop over." https://t.co/gr1SCORBjA

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 23, 2026

Rubio and Trump had appeared together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3, 2026, following U.S. military actions in Venezuela. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller were also present during remarks to reporters.

The Friday comments paired Rubio’s explicit invitation for discreet CIA cooperation with Trump’s public talk of ships, proximity to the Cuban coast, and potential negotiations. Neither official offered operational details about how either approach would proceed.

Rubio’s statement remained focused on Cubans who want political change and the grievances he listed, including failed promises, corruption, and privileged living among a limited group. His post presented cooperation with the CIA as an opportunity for those seeking change.

Trump’s remarks, by contrast, were delivered before a rally audience and tied Cuba to his discussion of Iran. His proposal included a stop near the island followed by Rubio entering to finish a deal, though no terms or timetable were disclosed.

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