Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American, drew loud cheers from the debate audience at the University of Miami Thursday night for his forceful criticism of President Obama restoring relations with communist Cuba.
“Nothing will change for the Cuban people,” Mr. Rubio said. “Things are worse than they were before this opening. We’re getting nothing in return.”
Front-runner Donald Trump said he’s “somewhere in the middle” on Cuba policy and wants “a much better deal.” He concluded by saying he would want the U.S. embassy in Cuba “to be closed until a better deal is made.”
Mr. Rubio quickly pointed out that the Cuba embassy is in the consulate building, so it wouldn’t really “close.”
Mr. Obama will be traveling to Cuba on March 20, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit the island nation in more than 70 years.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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