For Rubio the Cuba Hawk, the Road to Havana Runs Through Venezuela
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- In 2019, a brief uprising against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro raised hopes for his ouster, but the revolt failed partly due to Cuban support, disappointing U.S. officials including President Trump and Senator Marco Rubio.
- Nearly seven years later, Maduro remains in power, while Rubio, now Secretary of State and interim National Security Adviser, leads an intensified U.S. military pressure campaign aimed at removing him.
- Rubio’s efforts to oust Maduro are also linked to a broader goal of weakening Cuba, as Venezuela is a key ally and supporter of the Cuban government.
- U.S. policy under Rubio operates on the theory that removing Maduro will cut off support to Cuba, potentially destabilizing the communist regime there.
- Rubio
