The British government has issued a rare public rebuke of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing him of spreading falsehoods about Cuba and warning that Washington’s confrontational approach threatens to destabilise a key Caribbean partner. The dispute, which erupted during Rubio’s visit to Jamaica on 12 February, marks a significant fracture in the traditionally close UK-US relationship, with London insisting that facts must prevail over rhetoric in the region.
At a press conference in Kingston, Rubio alleged that Cuba is “harbouring American fugitives” and “destabilising neighbours through covert operations”. He cited unverified sources and urged regional allies to isolate Havana. However, British diplomats, drawing on classified briefings from their embassy in Havana, have categorically denied these claims. “The Secretary’s statements are not supported by the intelligence we hold,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said. “There is no evidence of such activities. We are concerned that inflammatory language risks undermining long-standing stability in the Caribbean.”
The confrontation underscores a deeper divergence in policy. Since taking office, Rubio has pursued a hardline strategy towards Cuba, reversing the Obama-era détente and tightening sanctions. Britain, by contrast, has maintained a pragmatic engagement, prioritising trade, cultural exchange and joint efforts to combat drug trafficking. A senior British diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Rubio’s remarks as “reckless” and warned that they could embolden hardliners across the region. “The Caribbean is not a chessboard for ideological battles. It is a neighbourhood where we have common interests in security, health and climate resilience.”
The incident has reignited debate about the UK’s post-Brexit foreign policy autonomy. While London has sought to keep the US as its “closest ally”, it has also cultivated independent relationships in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Cuba, British companies have invested in renewable energy and tourism, and the government has funded programmes to strengthen civil society. “We do not subscribe to the view that you must choose between the US and Cuba,” a Foreign Office official said. “There is room for nuanced diplomacy.”
Caribbean leaders have reacted with alarm to the dispute. A statement from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) urged both nations to “exercise restraint” and “respect the sovereignty of member states”. Analysts suggest that Britain’s firm stance could improve its standing in the region, which often resents US heavy-handedness. “Britain has positioned itself as a reliable partner that listens,” said Dr. Laura McLean, a Caribbean policy expert at the University of the West Indies. “This contrasts sharply with the Trump administration’s style.”
Despite the diplomatic heat, both sides have signalled a willingness to de-escalate. The US State Department declined to comment on the British rebuke, but a source close to Rubio indicated that he is “open to dialogue”. For now, however, the incident serves as a reminder that even the most entrenched alliances can fray when competing interests collide. The British government has reaffirmed its commitment to a stable, prosperous Caribbean, and insists it will not be swayed by what it deems misinformation. “We will always speak our mind when facts are distorted,” the Foreign Office spokesperson concluded. “That is what allies do.”
