In a recent development, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stern caution to Cuba’s leadership following the United States’ successful apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier on Saturday. Rubio’s remarks came during a press briefing at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

During the conference, Rubio criticized Cuba’s governance, describing it as being under the control of “incompetent, senile men.” He alleged that Venezuelan security, including Maduro’s personal guards and the national intelligence agency, is heavily influenced by Cuban operatives, suggesting that “this beleaguered island” has effectively taken charge of Venezuela’s security apparatus.

Rubio further elaborated, “Venezuelans face a significant challenge in striving for autonomy from Cuba. The island has essentially attempted to colonize Venezuela from a security perspective. If I were part of the Havana government, I’d certainly be feeling a bit uneasy.”

Prior to Rubio’s statements, President Trump conveyed his administration’s desire for amicable relations, emphasizing the importance of “good neighbors.” While expressing a willingness to assist the Cuban populace, Trump noted that Cuba is currently “struggling” and described it as a “failing nation.”

He remarked, “We aim to support both the Cuban citizens and those who have been displaced and now reside in the United States.”

Cuban officials condemned the strikes and capture. Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla wrote on the social platform X that his country condemned the “military aggression” of the U.S. “against Venezuela and the kidnapping of its legitimate President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife.”

The U.S. struck Venezuela early on Saturday, with explosions seen in its capital Caracas and three other states. The military’s Delta Force entered Maduro’s compound and captured him and his wife Cilia Flores. Trump said Maduro and Flores were aboard the USS Iwo Jima and heading for New York, where they will face charges.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the duo was indicted in the Southern District of New York. Maduro and Flores face charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices against the United States.

Trump at his press conference declared that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a “safe” transition could take place. 

“We’re going to be running it with a group, and we’re going to make sure it’s run properly,” Trump said. “We’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela who were forced out by this thug are taken care of.”

Democratic lawmakers criticized the attack and said it was illegal without congressional approval. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called Maduro “an illegitimate dictator” but said his capture “without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.”