Cuban Americans Reject Marco Rubio's Hardline Stance on Cuba

A new grassroots movement aims to amplify diverse Cuban-American voices against the U.S. embargo on Cuba

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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A group of Cuban Americans has launched the 'Cuban Americans for Cuba' movement to oppose the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the Trump administration's aggressive policies towards the island nation. The group, which includes members with a range of political views, believes the future of Cuba should be determined by Cubans on the island without U.S. interference. They are organizing a delegation to join the Nuestra América convoy to deliver medical aid to Cuba, rejecting claims that the convoy is 'anti-American' or 'communist'.

Why it matters

For decades, the 'Miami Cuban' narrative promoted by hardliners like Marco Rubio has dominated the public perception of Cuban-American views on Cuba policy. This new grassroots movement aims to challenge that narrative and show the diversity of opinions within the Cuban-American community, many of whom favor engagement and an end to the embargo rather than continued confrontation.

The details

The 'Cuban Americans for Cuba' movement was launched in response to the Trump administration's aggressive policies towards Cuba, including the oil blockade and threats of military action. The group has created an open letter (CubanAmericansForCuba.Org/Letter) for Cuban Americans to sign, showing their opposition to the embargo and desire for normalized relations. Members of the group span the political spectrum but are united in their belief that the future of Cuba should be determined by Cubans themselves, not by U.S. interference.

  • The 'Cuban Americans for Cuba' movement was launched in 2026.
  • The group is organizing a delegation to join the Nuestra América convoy later this month.

The players

Cuban Americans for Cuba

A grassroots movement of Cuban Americans opposed to the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the Trump administration's aggressive policies towards the island nation. The group believes the future of Cuba should be determined by Cubans on the island without U.S. interference.

Marco Rubio

A Republican U.S. Senator from Florida who has been a vocal proponent of hardline policies towards Cuba, including maintaining the U.S. embargo.

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What they’re saying

“I'm tired of the extremist 'Miami Cuban' propaganda machine. I'm tired of the Marco Rubios and Ted Cruzes of this country claiming to speak for Cuban-Americans.”

— Justine Medina, Organizer, Cuban Americans for Cuba (CounterPunch)

“We want the embargo to end. We want the cruel, inhumane oil blockade by the Trump regime to end. We want the current administration's posturing towards war games and invasion to end. We want engagement, not escalation. We want friendship. We want trade. We want to gather with our families, watch béisbol, and drink cafecitos by the Malecón.”

— Justine Medina, Organizer, Cuban Americans for Cuba (CounterPunch)

What’s next

The Cuban Americans for Cuba movement is growing, with members across the United States, and they plan to continue building support for their open letter and organizing the delegation to join the Nuestra América convoy later this month to deliver medical aid to Cuba.

The takeaway

This new grassroots movement of Cuban Americans challenges the longstanding narrative that the Cuban-American community is monolithically opposed to engagement with Cuba. By amplifying diverse voices, the group aims to shift the debate and pressure the U.S. government to end the embargo and normalize relations with the island.