Through a video, the Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, called on Cubans who are on the island to build a “new Cuba” proposed by the administration of President Donald Trump.

"On a day like today, in 1902, the Cuban flag flew for the first time over an independent country. But I know that today, you, who call the island your home, are going through unimaginable difficulties. Today I want to share with you the truth about the reason for your suffering. And I want to tell you what we, in the United States, offer you to help you not only alleviate the current crisis, but also build a better future," he said.

In his proposal, Rubio promises Cubans to be out of the control of the military elites and with a renewed relationship with the United States.

"The reason why they are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil "blockade" by the United States. As you well know, they have been suffering from blackouts for years. The real reason why they do not have electricity, fuel or food is because those who control their country have looted billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people," he said.

He also warned that when Venezuela's oil subsidy ended, after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by Washington last January, the military elite bought fuel for its private use while asking for "sacrifices", although without referring to Trump's order to prevent the arrival of crude oil to the country.

"President Trump offers a new path (of relations) between the United States and a new Cuba. A new Cuba where you, ordinary Cubans, not only Gaesa can own a gas station or a clothing store or a restaurant," Rubio said, mentioning the examples of nearby Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

As he highlighted, “currently the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control the country.”

"A new Cuba where you, and not just the Cuban Communist Party, can own a television station or a newspaper. A new Cuba where you can complain about a failed system, without fear of going to jail or being expelled from your island. And a new Cuba where you have the real opportunity to choose who governs your country and vote to replace him if he is not doing a good job. This is not impossible," he explained in the video.

Rubio's message comes amid renewed pressure from Washington against Havana, threats from Trump that he will take control of the island "one way or another" and sanctions against the Cuban leadership and Gaesa.

In addition, this Wednesday the Department of Justice is expected to formally indict former President Raúl Castro, 94, in a case related to the downing of planes belonging to the Brothers to the Rescue organization in 1996.

This announcement would take place in the midst of the commemoration of May 20 in Miami by the Cuban exile, which claims the date as the island's Independence Day, despite the fact that the Government of the communist island does not commemorate it and considers it the beginning of a republic supervised by the United States.