Donald Trump tells audience to ‘watch’ what Marco Rubio does with Cuba amid US policy tensions

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday told a White House audience to watch what Secretary of State Marco Rubio does with Cuba highlighting the CubanAmerican diplomat while praising his work on US foreign policyTrump made the remarks during a National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the White House He did not announce any new policy towards Cuba or provide details about what he was referring toTrump singles out Rubio over CubaldquoWatch what he does with Cuba Watch what he does with Cubardquo Trump said while introducing Rubio at the eventThe US President then broadened his comments to praise Rubios role in dealing with foreign policy issues around the worldldquoWere also honoured to be joined on this occasion by the highestranking Hispanic American in the history of our countryrdquo Trump saidldquoAnd hes a man who everyone is just theyve fallen in love with him hes very specialrdquoTrump later said Rubios work extended beyond his role in relation to CubaldquoBut regardless Hispanic American or no matter who he deals with anybody all over the world hes a masterrdquo Trump saidTrump then invited Rubio to address the gatheringRubio speaks about Hispanic American identityIn his brief remarks Rubio spoke about Hispanic Americans connection to the United States and the experiences of immigrant familiesldquoAll I would say is Hispanic Americans we are Americans We love this countryrdquo Rubio saidldquoAnd we love it because so many of us either know firsthand or through our parents or grandparents what life is like in other countriesrdquoRubio said those experiences had given Hispanic Americans an understanding of the freedoms and opportunities available in the United StatesldquoAnd so we know how special this country is Its the place that gave us freedom its the place that gave us opportunity its the place thats given our parents our grandparents and many of you the chance not just to do well in life but to do the most important thing any of us ever want and that is to leave our children better off than ourselvesrdquo Rubio saidldquoThat is what makes America special thats why we love it thats why were passionate about it that is our heritage in this countryrdquoRubio concluded ldquoWe are proud to be Americans and Im proud to be here and to serve under you Mr PresidentrdquoTrump praises Rubio againTrump responded by again praising the Secretary of State after his remarksldquoSo how did he do Good right Hes an unbelievable man Really amazingrdquo Trump saidThe Presidents reference to Cuba came as Latin America and US policy towards the region featured prominently in his remarks Trump also discussed Venezuela immigration and his administrations relationship with Hispanic AmericansCuba remains a focus of US policyRubio the son of Cuban immigrants has long been associated with US policy towards Cuba and Latin America Before becoming Secretary of State he represented Florida in the US Senate and was a prominent congressional voice on Cuba Venezuela and other issues concerning the Western HemisphereTrumps latest comments came shortly after Rubio said the United States hoped Cuba would choose a different path and warned that Cuban leaders who expected to outlast the Trump administration without reforms could face consequencesThe Trump administration has also taken measures to increase pressure on the Cuban government In May the White House announced new sanctions targeting Cuban government officials and others it said were connected to repression and threats to US national security and foreign policyWith inputs from IANS