US Secretary of State marks 5 years since Cuba protests, calls for political reform
Key Points(5)
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 demonstrations in Cuba, calling on the Cuban government to release political prisoners and implement economic and political reforms.
- In a statement issued on July 11, 2026, Rubio said thousands of Cubans took to the streets five years ago to demand a better future for themselves and their families following decades of what he described as repression and economic mismanagement under the Communist government.
- He accused Cuban authorities of responding to the demonstrations with violence, saying peaceful protesters were beaten and thousands were arrested.
- “Hundreds of Cubans remain unjustly detained for the simple sin of asking for basic rights, opportunities, and dignity,” Rubio said, reiterating the US call for the release of political prisoners.
- Rubio said the administration of US President Donald Trump wants to see improved conditions for the Cuban people, arguing that the country’s economy is facing severe challenges.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 demonstrations in Cuba, calling on the Cuban government to release political prisoners and implement economic and political reforms.
In a statement issued on July 11, 2026, Rubio said thousands of Cubans took to the streets five years ago to demand a better future for themselves and their families following decades of what he described as repression and economic mismanagement under the Communist government.
He accused Cuban authorities of responding to the demonstrations with violence, saying peaceful protesters were beaten and thousands were arrested.
“Hundreds of Cubans remain unjustly detained for the simple sin of asking for basic rights, opportunities, and dignity,” Rubio said, reiterating the US call for the release of political prisoners.
Rubio said the administration of US President Donald Trump wants to see improved conditions for the Cuban people, arguing that the country’s economy is facing severe challenges.
“After decades of repression and gross mismanagement, Cuba’s economy is in freefall, and its people continue to suffer blackouts, hunger, and deprivation,” he said.
The Secretary of State said the United States has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Cubans through exports of food, medicine and other critical goods.
He added that the US has offered Cuba aid, reconstruction assistance and the possibility of a renewed relationship between the two countries if the government agrees to political and economic reforms.
However, Rubio accused Cuban authorities of rejecting meaningful reforms and prioritising political control.
“The regime and its corrupt elites continue to refuse any efforts at meaningful reform,” he said, accusing Cuba’s leaders of maintaining control over the economy and blaming external forces for the country’s problems.
Rubio also described Cuba’s relationship with US adversaries as a national security concern, alleging that the country hosts foreign military and intelligence activities and supports hostile networks targeting the United States.
“The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to both address the national security threats posed by the Cuban Communist regime, and to drive the economic and political reforms to give Cuba a better future,” Rubio said.
He said Cuba’s leaders must commit to “real reforms, peace and prosperity” before it is too late.
The July 11, 2021 protests, known as the 11J demonstrations, were among the largest anti-government protests in Cuba in decades. Thousands of people participated in demonstrations across the island, citing economic hardship, shortages of basic goods, pandemic-related pressures and demands for greater freedoms. The protests were followed by widespread arrests and international criticism over the government’s response.
