Asked for Evidence Against Cuba, Rubio Responded: “Why Would I Need New Evidence?”

Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a blunt defense of the Trump administration’s economic war on Cuba, claiming the island is a security threat.

Rubio revived familiar Cold War-era talking points, arguing that “virtually every left-wing, radical, violent terrorist group in the Western Hemisphere has at some point relied on support from Cuba.”

When Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) asked whether Rubio could provide evidence to support the claim that Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism, Rubio responded: “Why would I need new evidence?”

There is no credible evidence Cuba sponsors terrorism.

Rubio’s comments come amid a growing campaign to portray Cuba — and anyone who criticizes U.S. policy toward the island — as a security threat. In the past week, Fox News has reported on alleged “administrative subpoenas” issued to members of a humanitarian aid convoy to Cuba. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) has accused her Democrat colleagues of treason for publicly discussing ways to address the island’s fuel crisis, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) attempted to link a U.S.-based anti-embargo organization to the accused killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk — without providing any evidence. 

On Wednesday, Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Cuba’s current model is “not sustainable” and that meaningful change would require new leadership. Rubio neglected to mention the impact of nearly a decade of maximum pressure sanctions or the current oil blockade.