Fact Check: Marco Rubio Did Not Announce Sanctions as Secretary of State

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions targeting Cuba's military regime and elites.

Official U.S. Department of State listings show Antony Blinken held the Secretary of State position in May 2026, and Marco Rubio has never served in that office. Rubio announced the sanctions as a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, identifying himself as a senator in his statement. The sanctions targeted the military‑run group GAESA and its leader Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, as well as Moa Nickel SA, under authority from Executive Order 14404 signed by President Donald Trump on May 1 2024.

The claim is false.

While the sanctions themselves are real and were announced by Rubio, the error lies in his title. As a senator, Rubio can publicly announce sanctions and advocate for them, but he lacks the executive authority to issue them; that authority resides with the President and is delegated through executive orders. The sanctions were pursuant to EO 14404, which authorizes the Secretary of State to designate individuals and entities supporting Cuba’s security apparatus. Rubio’s announcement reflected his role as a congressional advocate, not a cabinet officer. Watch for additional sanctions designations expected in the coming weeks as the Trump administration continues its pressure campaign on Cuba’s military and economic interests.