U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered Cubans a “new relationship” with the United States in a video message marking Cuban Independence Day. Speaking in Spanish, Rubio said the U.S. is offering $100 million in food and medicine to help address shortages of electricity, food and fuel on the island. He blamed Cuba’s leaders for the country’s crisis, accusing them of corruption and of “plundering” billions of dollars while failing to help the Cuban people. Rubio said the aid would need to be distributed through the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable organizations. The message comes as the Trump administration is expected to announce criminal charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, escalating Washington’s pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government. #marcorubio #cuba #uspolitics #foreignpolicy #cubans