U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela of being responsible for the regional migration crisis. During a visit to Costa Rica, he emphasized the oppressive nature of these regimes and their impact on migration. Cuban President Diaz-Canel countered Rubio’s claims, attributing Cuba’s migration issues to U.S. embargo policies. Rubio’s tour continues with discussions on regional security and migration in Central America.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the authoritarian regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, labeling them as “enemies of humanity” responsible for the ongoing migration crisis in the region. During his visit to Costa Rica, Rubio asserted that without these governments, the migration challenges in the Americas would not exist. He emphasized that the failures of these states contribute significantly to the exodus of migrants seeking better lives.
Focusing specifically on Nicaragua, Rubio remarked on the emergence of a familial dictatorship under President Daniel Ortega and First Lady Rosario Murillo. He condemned their actions against the Catholic Church and political opposition, leading to mass migration. Rubio highlighted that many Nicaraguans flee their country for similar reasons as those escaping Cuba and Venezuela.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel was quick to respond, accusing U.S. politicians of irresponsibility. In a statement on social media, he claimed that the migration flow from Cuba correlates with the intensified U.S. embargo, which has severely limited essential goods for the island’s citizens. He described Rubio’s allegations as indicative of “neofascism” in American politics.
Following his visit to Costa Rica, Secretary Rubio traveled to Guatemala after engagements in Panama and El Salvador. Notably, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed housing U.S. citizen convicts in a prison designed for gang members, an offer that Rubio acknowledged with gratitude. Bukele’s willingness to accept deported gang members from other countries, including Venezuela, underscored regional cooperation on security issues.
The remarks made by Secretary Rubio occur in the context of heightened migration from Central America and the Caribbean to the United States. Authoritarian governance in countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has contributed to significant populations fleeing their countries due to political repression and economic hardship. Rubio’s statements reflect a growing concern in U.S. foreign policy regarding the influence of these regimes on regional stability and migration patterns. Díaz-Canel’s response highlights the ongoing tensions between Cuba and the United States, particularly regarding sanctions and trade policies that impact ordinary citizens.
In summary, Marco Rubio’s statements in Costa Rica underline his view that the regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have precipitated a migration crisis affecting the Americas. He specifically criticized the Nicaraguan regime for its oppressive policies, while Díaz-Canel countered that U.S. sanctions are to blame for Cuba’s migration issues. This exchange exemplifies the contentious diplomatic relations between the United States and these Latin American countries, amid rising migration challenges.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
