Cuban Influencer Otaola Urges Trump and Rubio to Take Action Against Cuban Regime

Otaola rejects dialogue, demands the U.S. take a forceful stance against the Cuban government

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Cuban influencer Alex Otaola directly addressed U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging them to take swift action against the Cuban regime. Otaola made it clear that he and his followers do not support a process of conversations with Havana, stating "We do not want dialogue with the dictatorship, we do not want to give the rulers of the regime a way out." He requested that Washington not communicate decisions already made without considering the traditional Cuban exile sector in Miami, and asked Trump and Rubio to act against Cuba similarly to how the U.S. acted against the regime in Iran.

Why it matters

Otaola's message represents public pressure from a segment of the Cuban exile community demanding a more forceful stance from the Trump administration and rejecting any negotiation that could alleviate or prolong the current Cuban government's hold on power. This introduces a novel layer of pressure on the administration as it navigates its policy toward Cuba.

The details

Otaola stated "It's now or never, Mr. Trump, we want action now" and appealed directly to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying "We want to be heard, we demand to be taken into account." He also requested that Washington not communicate decisions already made without considering the traditional Cuban exile sector in Miami, stating "They have to take us into account and they have to do so by listening to our requests, not communicating to us what they have already decided." Otaola asked Trump and Rubio to act against Cuba similarly to how the U.S. acted against the regime in Iran, saying "There was no pity for the Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, there should be no pity for Raúl Castro."

  • Otaola made these statements this Friday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Alex Otaola

A Cuban influencer who directly addressed President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio, urging them to take swift action against the Cuban regime.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Marco Rubio

The U.S. Secretary of State.

Raúl Castro

The former president of Cuba and current influential figure within the Cuban power structure.

Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro

The grandson of Raúl Castro and an influential figure within the Cuban power structure.

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What they’re saying

“It's now or never, Mr. Trump, we want action now.”

— Alex Otaola, Cuban Influencer (newsy-today.com)

“Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio, we want to be heard, we demand to be taken into account.”

— Alex Otaola, Cuban Influencer (newsy-today.com)

“We do not want dialogue with the dictatorship, we do not want to give the rulers of the regime a way out. We want them to pay for their crimes, we do not want to give a safe passage to the executioners of the Cuban people.”

— Alex Otaola, Cuban Influencer (newsy-today.com)

“They have to take us into account and they have to do so by listening to our requests, not communicating to us what they have already decided. That is not taking us into account.”

— Alex Otaola, Cuban Influencer (newsy-today.com)

“There was no pity for the Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, there should be no pity for Raúl Castro. There was no pity for the leaders of Iranian repression, there should be no pity for those who gave the order to combat the Cuban people. What is happening in Cuba is not an economic or humanitarian problem, it is a political problem.”

— Alex Otaola, Cuban Influencer (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The Trump administration will likely face increased pressure from the Cuban exile community to take a more forceful stance against the Cuban regime, potentially complicating its policy approach moving forward.

The takeaway

Otaola's message underscores the deep divisions within the Cuban-American community regarding the appropriate U.S. policy toward Cuba, with some rejecting any dialogue with the current government and demanding decisive action. This adds a new dynamic for the Trump administration to navigate as it seeks to address the crisis in Cuba.