Rubio: Cuba is 'already fallen' and lacks a functional economy

Secretary Marco Rubio described Cuba as "already fallen," saying the country lacks a functioning economy and that power is concentrated among military and Communist Party interests who profit at the public's expense.

"Cuba's already fallen... It doesn't have a functional economy," Rubio said, adding that the regime has jailed and killed opponents and that corruption and graft have left the population economically strained. He said the United States would not allow Cuba to become a base of operations against American interests while Trump is president and said the administration prefers diplomatic solutions that lead to political as well as economic freedoms.

Rubio did not outline specific new measures toward Cuba during the interview; he framed the U.S. preference as promoting both economic and political freedoms during any transition.