"If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I'd be concerned," Rubio stated emphatically during remarks alongside President Donald Trump.
The Secretary of State, who is the son of exiled Cubans, added a pointed reminder that "when the president speaks, you should take him seriously."
The warning came in response to questions about whether Trump's stated desire for the United States to "surround ourselves with stability" extends to Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel and his government.
Rubio's comments signal that Cuba may be next on the administration's foreign policy agenda following recent developments in Venezuela.
Trump characterized Cuba as a nation in crisis, describing it as "a failing nation right now" and indicating that substantive discussions about the country's future are inevitable.
"Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about," he said, drawing parallels between the situation there and other regional concerns.
The president framed potential US involvement as humanitarian in nature, emphasizing assistance to Cuban citizens. "We want to help the people," Trump stated.
"It's very similar in the sense that we want to help the people in Cuba, but we want to also help the people that were forced out of Cuba and living in this country."
This dual approach—addressing both Cubans on the island and the exile community in the United States—reflects the complex political dynamics surrounding Cuba policy.
The large Cuban-American population, particularly in Florida, has historically wielded significant influence over US policy toward the communist government.
Rubio's personal connection to the issue adds weight to his warning. As the child of Cuban exiles, he has been a vocal critic of the Diaz-Canel regime throughout his political career.
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