US offers Cuba a new relationship
Global News Podcast
BBC
4.3 • 8.2K Ratings
🗓️ 20 May 2026
⏱️ 26 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
America's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, has offered the Cuban people a "new relationship" in a video message marking the anniversary of Cuba's independence. He blamed the island's hardships on its communist leadership and not the US fuel blockade, which has exacerbated the economic crisis. Mr Rubio made the comments as US media reported that the Justice Department would unveil charges against Cuba's veteran leader Raul Castro.
Also: The World Health Organization is exploring vaccine and treatment options to help contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has released a video showing him taunting detained activists from a Gaza aid flotilla. As investigations into how a group of experienced divers died in the Maldives continue, officials say all five bodies have now been retrieved from a deep cave. Russia's President Putin has met China's President Xi in Beijing and signed around 20 agreements just days after Donald Trump's visit. North Korea's Naegohyang football team has beaten South Korea's Suwon FC 2-1 in the semi-final of the Asian Women's Champions league in a rare match between the former enemies. English wines have won the highest percentage of gold medals per entry in a global competition, with experts describing the improvement as remarkable... and we find out why the T-Rex had such little arms.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | This is the Global News Podcasts from the BBC World Service. |
| 0:12.4 | I'm Charlotte Gallagher, and on the afternoon of the 20th of May, these are our main stories. |
| 0:18.3 | The US Secretary of State has offered Cuba a new relationship |
| 0:21.8 | with America in comments ahead of expected U.S. charges against the veteran communist leader |
| 0:27.2 | Raal Castro. The World Health Organization says a vaccine may be ready in nine months to help |
| 0:34.0 | counter the current Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. |
| 0:46.1 | Also in this podcast, the latest on the rescue mission in the Maldives after a scuba diving accident. |
| 0:51.1 | The remaining two bodies have been recovered and brought back to the surface. |
| 0:53.9 | So that completes the diving mission. So the search and recovery |
| 0:55.4 | mission is now complete. And a team from North Korea travel to South Korea for a football match. |
| 1:01.4 | We'll hear from our reporter who was there. |
| 1:08.1 | America's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, has offered a new relationship with the Cuban people |
| 1:14.2 | in his first direct address to the island's population as Secretary of State. |
| 1:19.4 | Speaking in Spanish on the anniversary of Cuba's independence, |
| 1:22.9 | Mr. Rubio blamed the island's unimaginable hardships on its communist leadership and not the US fuel |
| 1:29.8 | blockade. |
| 1:30.3 | The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an |
| 1:38.3 | oil blockade by the US. |
| 1:40.3 | As you know better than anyone, you have been suffering from blackouts for years. |
| 1:44.3 | The real reason you don't have electricity, fuel or food, |
| 1:47.4 | is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, |
... |
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