Rubio's secret squeeze on Raul Castro's Cuba

Senator Marco Rubio has been quietly working behind the scenes to pressure the Cuban government under Raul Castro's leadership, using his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to push for stricter sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Background on Rubio's Cuba stance

Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has long been a vocal critic of the Cuban regime. His hardline approach contrasts with the Obama administration's efforts to normalize relations with Cuba in 2014-2015. Since then, Rubio has worked to reverse many of those diplomatic gains.

Recent actions and policy moves

In recent months, Rubio has:

• Pushed for additional sanctions on Cuban military and intelligence officials
• Advocated for restricting travel and remittances to Cuba
• Worked to limit U.S. business engagement with the island nation
• Supported legislation to hold Cuba accountable for human rights abuses

Strategic implications

The timing of Rubio's intensified efforts coincides with Raul Castro's planned retirement from the Communist Party leadership in April 2021. Rubio appears to be positioning the U.S. to influence the transition of power and potentially shape Cuba's future political direction.

Economic impact

The sanctions and restrictions advocated by Rubio have had a measurable impact on Cuba's economy, which was already struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on tourism. The Cuban government has reported significant revenue losses and increased shortages of basic goods.

International response

Rubio's approach has drawn criticism from some U.S. allies who favor engagement with Cuba. European Union officials have expressed concern that the hardline stance could push Cuba closer to Russia and China for economic support.

What comes next

As Raul Castro prepares to step down from his final official role, Rubio's efforts to maintain pressure on the Cuban government are likely to intensify. The senator has indicated he will continue pushing for policies that he believes will hasten democratic reforms in Cuba.

The effectiveness of Rubio's "secret squeeze" strategy remains to be seen, but it represents a significant shift from the engagement policies of recent years and could have lasting implications for U.S.-Cuba relations.