During a press conference in Miami, Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, asserted that Cuba poses a significant national security threat to the United States, emphasizing that its leaders cannot simply 'buy time' amid escalating tensions. He pointed out that the Cuban government is on the brink of a 'systemic meltdown,' which could lead to instability and a migratory crisis affecting the U.S. Rubio highlighted Cuba's acquisition of weapons from Russia and China, and its hosting of foreign intelligence, branding it as a leading sponsor of terrorism in the region. He reiterated that while the U.S. prefers a diplomatic resolution, it must be prepared to address any threats to its national security. In response, Cuba's Foreign Minister accused Rubio of spreading lies to provoke military aggression, asserting that Cuba has never threatened U.S. security. Rubio's remarks come on the heels of new sanctions targeting the military conglomerate GAESA, which he claimed siphons resources away from the Cuban populace. He expressed doubt about the Cuban leadership's willingness to implement genuine reforms, indicating that previous diplomatic engagements have yielded little progress.