Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Cuba rejected a $100 million humanitarian aid offer from the United States, while separately defending the administration's decision to impose new sanctions on the island nation.

Rubio made the claim about the rejected aid as Cuba continues to face multiple challenges, including recovery from a devastating hurricane, economic difficulties, and ongoing fuel shortages. The secretary did not provide specific details about when the aid offer was made or the Cuban government's stated reasons for declining it.

The United States has provided $6 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba's population, though this represents a fraction of the larger offer Rubio cited. The humanitarian situation comes as the island nation struggles with infrastructure damage and resource shortages affecting daily life for its citizens.

Separately, Rubio defended new U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba, specifically mentioning measures against GAESA, a military-run conglomerate. The sanctions represent continued pressure from the U.S. government on Cuban institutions with military ties.

The developments highlight the complex relationship between the two nations, with the U.S. maintaining both punitive economic measures and humanitarian aid channels. Cuba has historically been wary of accepting large-scale U.S. aid, citing concerns about political strings attached to such assistance.