US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Cuba as a 'national security threat' to the United States, saying the likelihood of reaching a peaceful agreement with Havana is low. His remarks came a day after Washington formally charged former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two planes that killed US citizens. Rubio said the US prefers a diplomatic solution but warned that President Donald Trump has both the right and duty to defend the country against any threat.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected Rubio’s comments as false, asserting that Cuba has never posed a threat to the US. He accused Washington of orchestrating attacks and provoking military aggression against Cuba. The island nation is currently facing severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts, and food scarcity, worsened by US oil sanctions. Despite tensions, Cuba has accepted $100 million in US humanitarian aid, according to Rubio.

Rubio declined to reveal how Raul Castro would be brought before a US court, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said they expect Castro to appear voluntarily or by other means. President Trump described Cuba as a 'failed state' and said his administration is trying to help on humanitarian grounds.