--- title: "Rubio calls Cuba a 'failed state' amid energy crisis" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis" category: "Politics" area: "Latin America" published: "2026-09-29T06:05:22.418Z" source_reported: "2026-09-29T05:41:50.000Z" updated: "2026-09-29T06:05:22.418Z" trust_score: 76 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 25 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-29T07:30:11.165740+00:00" --- # Rubio calls Cuba a 'failed state' amid energy crisis *US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued stern warnings to Cuba, linking its internal issues to US national security.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 76 of 100, higher is better. Multiple independent outlets name Rubio, give date, location and figures on Cuba’s power collapse, raising trust to 76. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Clear context, quotes from Díaz‑Canel, specific data and dates give a craft score of 87. - Hype 25 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are strong but body matches facts, resulting in mild emphasis (Hype 25). Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Cuba a "failed state" and a threat to US national security on September 28, 2026. - Rubio warned that those who wait for the end of the Trump administration will face consequences if Cuba does not change its policies. - Cuba is experiencing its sixth total power grid collapse since January 2026, leaving millions without electricity for extended periods. - The US tightened oil restrictions on Cuba in 2026, exacerbating fuel shortages, while Venezuela and Mexico also halted fuel shipments. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Cuba as a "failed state" on September 28, 2026, and warned that the country would "learn the lesson the hard way" if it did not change its course. Rubio stated that the Trump administration would not permit Cuba to be used as a platform for adversaries to threaten the United States. He reiterated concerns about Cuban intelligence activities and its alignment with US adversaries, characterising the situation as a national security threat. These remarks coincide with a severe energy crisis in Cuba. The country's electrical system suffered its sixth total collapse since January 2026, resulting in millions of people losing power for over 30 hours in some areas. This situation has been worsened by tightened US oil restrictions in 2026, which have contributed to significant fuel shortages. Venezuela stopped sending fuel to Cuba following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico also halted fuel imports under US pressure. ## Disagreement on the cause of Cuba's crisis La Opinion reported that the Trump administration attributes Cuba's economic problems to decades of communist government policies. In contrast, Havana blames the US embargo for exacerbating its economic and energy difficulties. Reuters noted that Rubio attributed the crisis to internal corruption and mismanagement, while the Cuban government maintains that US sanctions are a determining factor. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports mention the specific details of the energy crisis, such as the number of power grid collapses since January 2026 or the duration of the outages. They also do not detail the specific actions taken by Venezuela and Mexico regarding fuel shipments. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 8% (1) - Centre: 30% (4) - Right: 62% (8) 15 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-29T07:30:11.165740+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-29T07:45:08.246Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated report from La Opinion provided the most detailed account of the situation. It highlighted Rubio's repeated characterisation of Cuba as a "failed state" and a threat to national security, noting his previous statements on the matter in August and April 2026. The report also detailed the severe energy crisis, mentioning the sixth total collapse of the electrical system since January 2026 and the resulting power outages. It explained that US oil restrictions had worsened fuel shortages, and that Venezuela and Mexico had stopped fuel shipments due to US pressure and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. La Opinion also presented Cuba's perspective, stating that Havana blames the US embargo for its difficulties, while the US attributes them to internal mismanagement. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports from Reuters, Hola News, and WTVB focused on Rubio's statements regarding Cuba's path and the warning of learning "the lesson the hard way" if changes were not made. Reuters and WTVB attributed the statement about learning the lesson to those who believe they can wait out the Trump administration. Hola News framed Rubio's insistence that Cuba is a "failed state" and a threat to US national security, noting that the Trump administration would not allow the island to be used as a base against US national security. These reports did not detail the energy crisis or the specific reasons for fuel shortages. ### Right - The right-rated reports from Politika.rs, Berlingske.dk, BT, anews.com.tr, Anadolu Ajansı, Free Malaysia Today News, The Straits Times, Clarin, and avisendanmark.dk primarily focused on Rubio's warning that Cuba would "learn their lesson the hard way" if they did not change course. Several reports, including those from anews.com.tr and Anadolu Ajansı, quoted Rubio describing Cuba as a "failed state" with a non-functional economy and government. Clarin mentioned that the Caribbean island represents a risk to US security and that President Trump had also described Cuba as "failing" at the UN. Free Malaysia Today News and The Straits Times noted that a US-imposed oil blockade had put the country under severe strain, leading to fuel shortages and blackouts. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 3 - high: 9 - unknown: 15 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [6yka.com](https://6yka.com/svijet/rubio-kuba-je-vec-pala) — Rubio: "Cuba Has Already Fallen" - [Digi 24](https://digi24.ro/stiri/externe/statele-unite-ameninta-din-nou-cuba-marco-rubio-vor-primi-o-lectie-dura-daca-nu-isi-schimba-atitudinea-3968933) — The United States Again Threatens Cuba. Marco Rubio: "You Will Get a Hard Lesson if You Do Not Change Your Attitude. - [Aktuality.sk](https://aktuality.sk/clanok/SvYE8iR/rubio-oznacil-kubu-za-zlyhavajuci-stat-usa-nechcu-aby-sa-stala-zakladnou-proti-nim) — Rubio Called Cuba a Failed State. The US Does Not Want It to Become a Base Against Them - [www.economica.net](https://economica.net/anunt-din-sua-pentru-cuba-ce-spune-rubio-despre-noul-drum-pe-care-trebuie-sa-l-aleaga-autoritatile-de-la-havana_980761.html) — U.S. Announcement for Cuba. What Rubio Says About the New Road that the Havana Authorities Have to Choose. - [Capital.gr](https://capital.gr/diethni/4020203/roumpio-elpizoume-oti-i-kouba-tha-epilexei-enan-diaforetiko-dromo) — Rubio: We Hope Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - [Ελεύθερος Τύπος](https://eleftherostypos.gr/diethni/apeiles-roubio-pros-kouva-tha-parei-to-mathima-tis-me-ton-skliro-tropo-an-den-allaxei-poreia) — Rubio Threatens Cuba: It Will Learn Its Lesson the Hard Way if It Doesn't Change Course - [diariodecuba.com](https://diariodecuba.com/cuba/1790660714_69163.html) — Marco Rubio to the Cuban Regime: 'They Will Learn the Lesson by the Bad' - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/234910_ipa-elpides-roympio-gia-allagi-poreias-tis-koybas-kai-proeidopoiisi) — Rubio: I Hope Cuba Follows a New Path - [politika.rs](https://politika.rs/scc/clanak/789247/rubio-upozorio-kubu-ako-ne-promene-kurs-naucice-lekciju-na-tezi-nacin) — Rubio Warns Cuba: If They Don't Change Course, They Will Learn a Lesson the Hard Way - [sigmalive.com](https://sigmalive.com/news/international/1331268/roumpio-h-kouva-ekhei-idi-katarreusei-skliro-minima-kai-pros-iran-vid) — Rubio: "Cuba Has Already Collapsed" – Harsh Message to Iran (VID) - [Privátbankár.hu](https://privatbankar.hu/cikkek/nemzetkozi/ebbol-mi-fog-kisulni-trump-embere-kubat-ocsarolta.html) — What Will Come of This? Trump's Man Slandered Cuba - [avisendanmark.dk](https://avisendanmark.dk/udland/usa-s-udenrigsminister-haaber-at-cuba-vil-vaelge-en-anden-vej) — US Secretary of State: Hopes Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - [berlingske.dk](https://berlingske.dk/internationalt/usas-udenrigsminister-haaber-at-cuba-vil-vaelge-en-anden-vej) — US Secretary of State: Hopes Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/usas-udenrigsminister-haaber-at-cuba-vil-vaelge-en-anden-vej) — US Secretary of State: Hopes Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - [anews.com.tr](https://anews.com.tr/world/2026/09/29/cubas-already-fallen-us-secretary-of-state-says) — Cubas already fallen, US Secretary of State says - [onlarissa.gr](https://onlarissa.gr/2026/09/29/roumpio-oi-ipa-elpizoun-oti-i-kouva-tha-epilexei-mia-diaforetiki-poreia) — Rubio: US Hopes Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - ONLARISSA.GR News Larissa - [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/roumpio-oi-ipa-elpizoun-oti-i-kouva-tha-epileksei-mia-diaforetiki-poreia) — Rubio: US Hopes Cuba Will Choose a Different Path - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/americas/cubas-already-fallen-us-secretary-of-state-says/4072119) — 'Cuba's Already Fallen,' US Secretary of State Says - [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/rubio-diz-que-eua-esperam-que-cuba-escolha-um-caminho-diferente) — Rubio Says the U.S. Expects Cuba to Choose a Different Path. - [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/29/rubio-says-us-is-hopeful-cuba-will-choose-a-different-path) — Rubio says US is hopeful ‘Cuba will choose a different path’ - [CiberCuba](https://cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-09-29-u1-e135253-s27061-nid341448-marco-rubio-advierte-al-regimen-cubano-aprenderan) — Marco Rubio Warns the Cuban Regime: “They Will Learn the Lesson by the Bad Ones if They Do Not Correct” - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/rubio-says-us-is-hopeful-cuba-will-choose-a-different-path) — Rubio says US is hopeful 'Cuba will choose a different path' - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/americas/rubio-says-us-is-hopeful-cuba-will-choose-different-path-2026-09-29) — Rubio says US is hopeful 'Cuba will choose a different path' - [La Opinion](https://laopinion.com/2026/09/28/rubio-endurece-discurso-sobre-cuba-lo-llama-estado-fallido-y-una-amenaza-para-ee-uu) — Rubio Hardens Speech About Cuba, Calls It "Failed State" and a Threat to the U.S. - [Hola News](https://holanews.com/rubio-insiste-que-cuba-es-un-estado-fallido-y-amenaza-para-ee-uu) — Rubio Insists that Cuba Is a "Failed State" and a Threat to the U.S. - [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/rubio-insiste-que-cuba-es-un-estado-fallido-y-una-amenaza-para-ee-uu_0_VGIPszfOHa.html) — Rubio Insists that Cuba Is a "Failed State" and a Threat to the US. - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/f3bcd1d73d0b62fc) — Rubio: Cuba is a failed state - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/28/rubio-says-us-is-hopeful-cuba-will-choose-a-different-path) — Rubio says US is hopeful ‘Cuba will choose a different path’ ## Questions **What did Marco Rubio say about Cuba?** On September 28, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Cuba as a "failed state" and a threat to US national security. He warned that the country would "learn the lesson the hard way" if it did not change its policies and that the Trump administration would not allow the island to be used as a platform against the US. **What is the current situation with Cuba's power grid?** Cuba's electrical system has experienced its sixth total collapse since January 2026, leaving millions without power. Some regions have faced outages lasting more than 30 hours, exacerbated by fuel shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. **What has caused Cuba's fuel shortages?** The fuel shortages in Cuba have been worsened by tightened US oil restrictions in 2026. Additionally, Venezuela stopped sending fuel after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico also halted fuel imports due to US pressure. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Rubio calls Cuba a 'failed state' amid energy crisis", https://mediabias.news/politics/rubio-calls-cuba-a-failed-state-amid-energy-crisis