U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio says changes in relations with Cuba must be tied to reforms on the communist island such as free elections and freedom of the press.
The Florida Republican said Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press" that Fidel Castro's death will not by itself usher in major democratic changes. Rubio says current Cuban President Raul Castro is dedicated to protecting the communist system created largely by his brother.
Rubio, who is Cuban-American, has opposed much of the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations pushed by President Barack Obama. But Rubio also says he's not against all such reforms, only those in which the U.S. or the Cuban people get little in return.
Rubio says he believes President-elect Donald Trump will closely re-examine U.S.-Cuba relations once he takes office in January.
