Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela of creating a migration crisis during his visit to Costa Rica. He labeled their governments as foes of humanity, particularly criticizing Nicaragua’s authoritarian rule. In response, Cuban President Diaz-Canel blamed the US trade embargo for migration. Rubio also engaged with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on regional security and gang control.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sharply criticized the authoritarian regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, labeling them as “enemies of humanity” responsible for a significant regional migration crisis. During his visit to Costa Rica, he expressed that the crises would not exist were it not for these regimes, emphasizing their failure of governance. Rubio pointed to Nicaragua as particularly egregious, highlighting its descent into a dynastic rule under President Daniel Ortega and his wife, where dissent is ruthlessly suppressed.
Rubio attributed the mass exodus from Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela to the systemic failures of these governments, stating, “We have seen thousands and thousands of Nicaraguans who are fleeing that system for the same reason people are leaving Cuba or Venezuela.” He condemned the anti-democratic practices in Nicaragua, where the government effectively controls all state powers and stifles religious freedoms.
In response, Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel rebuked Rubio’s accusations, asserting that the United States’ 60-year trade embargo has significantly contributed to the migration crisis. He stated that the outflow of migrants is directly related to the tightening of this embargo, which he claims denies essential goods to the Cuban populace. Diaz-Canel further accused Rubio of promoting a form of neofascism that endangers humanity.
Rubio’s visit included meetings with leaders in Central America, including an engagement with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who proposed housing US criminal convicts in a controversial mega-prison. Rubio expressed gratitude for Bukele’s willingness to accept deported gang members from various Latin American countries, including those from Venezuela, indicating a collaborative approach to regional security issues.
The regional migration crisis affecting countries in Latin America, particularly those governed by authoritarian regimes, has escalated, prompting international concern. Countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela face rampant economic instability, political oppression, and social unrest, leading to mass migration as citizens flee in search of better opportunities and safety. Recent diplomatic engagements by US officials highlight the urgency of addressing these crises and their broader implications for hemispheric stability.
The remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscore the complex interplay between governance and migration within Latin America. By attributing the migration crisis to the failures of authoritarian regimes, he calls for a reassessment of how these governments impact regional security and stability. The response from Cuban leadership exemplifies the contentious nature of these discussions, revealing tensions between the US and Latin American nations concerning responsibility for migration issues and governance practices.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
