U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered to forge a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba on Wednesday (May 20) in a video message to the Cuban people, proposing $100 million in aid and blaming Cuba's leaders for shortages of electricity, food and fuel.

"We in the U.S. are offering to help you not only alleviate the current crisis, but also to build a better future," Rubio said in a State Department message on Cuban Independence Day.

The Trump administration is expected to announce criminal charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro on Wednesday, in a move that would mark a step-up in Washington's pressure campaign against the Caribbean island's communist government.

In his video address delivered in Spanish, Rubio blamed the country's current problems on greed and corruption in its leadership.

"The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel, or food is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people," Rubio said.

He said the United States is offering $100 million dollars in food and medicine to the Cuban people, but it must be distributed by the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable groups.

In a response Wednesday morning, Cuba's embassy in the U.S. said Rubio had lied and that the United States was subjecting the island nation to cruelty

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES (RELEASED MAY 20, 2026) (U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, MARCO RUBIO, SAYING:

"On a day like today, in 1902, the Cuban flag flew for the first time over an independent country. But I know that today, you, who call the island your home, are going through unimaginable hardships. Today I want to share with you the truth about the reason for your suffering. And I want to tell you what we, in the U.S., are offering to help you not only alleviate the current crisis, but also to build a better future.

The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil "blockade" by the U.S. As you know, better than anyone, you have been suffering from blackouts for years.

The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel, or food is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people.

Thirty years ago, Raúl Castro founded a company called GAESA. This company is owned and operated by the Armed Forces, and has revenues three times greater than your current government's budget. Today, while you suffer, these businessmen have $18 billion dollars in assets and control 70% of Cuba's economy. They profit from hotels, construction, banks, stores and even from the money your relatives send you from the U.S. everything, everything passes through their hands. From those remittances they retain a percentage, but from GAESA's profits nothing reaches you.

Instead of using the money to buy oil, like all other countries in the world, they depended on free oil from Hugo Chávez and Maduro to keep the money. But now that the free oil has stopped coming, they buy fuel for their generators and their vehicles while the people are asked to sacrifice.

Instead of using the money to maintain and modernize the damaged power plants, they use the money to build more hotels for foreigners and to send their relatives to live in luxury in Madrid and even here in the United States.

Today, Cuba is not controlled by any "revolution." Cuba is controlled by GAESA. A "state within the state" that is accountable to no one and hoards the profits from its businesses for the benefit of a small elite. And the only role played by the so-called "government" is to demand that you continue making "sacrifices" and repressing anyone who dares to complain.

President Trump is offering a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. But it must be directly with you, the Cuban people, not with GAESA.

First, we are offering $100 million dollars in food and medicine for you, the people. But they must be distributed directly to the Cuban people by the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable groups. Not stolen by GAESA to sell in one of their stores.

But, the Cuban people are not interested in permanent charity. You want the opportunity to live in your own country the way your relatives live in the U.S. or in other countries of the world.

Today, from media to entertainment, from the private sector to politics, and from music to sports, Cubans have reached the top of virtually ALL industries, in all countries, except one... Cuba.

Today in Cuba, only those close to the GAESA elite or who are part of it can have profitable businesses.

But President Trump is offering a new path between the U.S. and a new Cuba.

A new Cuba where you, the ordinary Cuban, and not just GAESA, can own a gas station or a clothing store, or a restaurant.

A new Cuba where you, and not just GAESA, can open a bank or have a construction company.

A new Cuba where you, and not just the Communist Party of Cuba, can own a television station or a newspaper.

A new Cuba where you can complain about a failing system, without fear of going to jail or being forced to leave your island.

And a new Cuba where you have a real opportunity to choose who governs your country and vote to replace them if they are not doing a good job.

This is not impossible. All of this exists in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and even just 90 miles away, in Florida. If owning your own business and having the right to vote is possible around Cuba, why is it not possible for you in Cuba?

In the U.S. we are ready to open a new chapter in the relationship between our people and our countries.

And, currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control your country."