U.S. Secretary of State Offers Cubans New Path in Video Address

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Cuban people directly in Spanish on Wednesday and offered what he called a new path in relations between the United States and Cuba. Rubio accused the country's communist leadership of theft, corruption and oppression. He said the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control the country.

Rubio described a new Cuba where citizens could choose who governs and vote to replace them if they are not doing a good job. He also accused a military-backed conglomerate of controlling about 40 percent of the Cuban economy and enriching a small elite.

The address came hours before Washington was expected to criminally indict the island's former leader. CBS News reported that the possible indictment would focus on the 1996 downing of two civilian planes.

One of Cuba's last economic lifelines was cut in January when U.S. forces toppled Venezuela's leader and instituted a fuel blockade. Last week, Rubio renewed an offer of $100 million in aid on the condition that it be distributed by the Catholic Church.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged the United States to lift its blockade instead. Inter-governmental talks are ongoing, with a high-level diplomatic meeting taking place in Havana on 10 April.