While a new president occupies the White House, the shift in leadership is unlikely to bring significant changes to U.S.-Cuba relations. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American senator from Florida, has been appointed as Secretary of State, marking the first time a person of Latin descent has held the post. However, Rubio’s hardline stance on Cuba suggests little appetite for thawing relations with the island. As President Trump stated, “Marco Rubio is no friend of Cuba,” reflecting the senator’s longstanding position against improving ties with the Cuban government.
Dr. Aparaajita Pandey, Ph.D., from the Centre for Latin American Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, shared her perspective with FinancialExpress.com. She noted, “Trump has also been talking about his tough stance on illegal immigration and deportations. He has stated that he would take strong actions against those trying to enter the U.S. illegally, and these prophesied deportations aren’t policies that are welcomed by the Cubans.” Her comments highlight the political complexities surrounding the U.S. administration’s relationship with Cuba.
Dr. Pandey further observes that both Biden and Trump are aligned when it comes to Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. “It seems unlikely that this label would change,” she explains. This shared stance may be partly influenced by the significant Cuban-American vote in Florida, particularly among families who fled Cuba after the rise of the communist regime following the ousting of Batista. “Florida, especially Miami, is filled with such families, and Marco Rubio understands his voter base,” Dr. Pandey adds. “This reluctance towards thawing relations aligns with Trump’s quintessential political rhetoric.”
Biden’s policies on Cuba, particularly his attempts to reverse some of the sanctions and remove Cuba from the list of terrorism sponsors, are also likely to face a setback with the change in administration. President Biden’s last-minute executive order to ease restrictions and foster greater engagement with Cuba was intended to pave the way for increased U.S. investment in the island, which has been under a trade embargo for over six decades. However, the fear among Florida Democrats is that Trump, upon assuming office, will reverse these moves and use the issue to frame the Democratic Party as sympathetic to socialism.
In Florida, where Hispanics make up 19% of the electorate, the word “socialism” holds particular weight. Many voters in the state have roots in Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Colombia—countries they fled to escape leftist regimes and violence. As Dr. Pandey suggests, this is a sensitive issue that may significantly influence U.S.-Cuba relations in the years ahead.
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Publish date : 2025-01-19 23:46:00
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