Marco Rubio’s stunned reaction when confronted with a not-so-subtle clue to the takeover of Cuba during the chaotic first White House press conference

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a chaotic and busy White House briefing on Tuesday, where he answered questions about Iran and China and quickly sidestepped a question about the administration’s plans for Cuba.

Rubio, 54, is the first of Trump’s Cabinet members to take the stage, taking the place of press secretary Karoline Leavitt while she is on maternity leave.

On stage, he joked about how crazy the briefing was, while nearly a hundred journalists in the room searched for questions. After playfully discussing his latest role as fill-in press secretary, he noted that he “needs a laser pointer” to select who to call.

The secretary of state began claiming that Iran has been defeated militarily and that the US is waiting for a joint response from the fractured government on how to end the war, now in its tenth week.

Independent analysts dispute whether the regime has been defeated as the country fired a series of missiles and drones at US ships and allies in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

The top U.S. diplomat also addressed Cuba after meeting with the U.S. Southern Command earlier in the day, where he posed for a photo while shaking hands with a top general in front of a map of the Caribbean island.

When the Daily Mail pressed about the Cuba meeting with top military planners, Rubio declined to go into details, insisting the card was insignificant and did not send a sharp message.

“Our ambassadors from all over the Western Hemisphere, I was addressing them and the general just took command of SOUTHCOM and there happened to be a map of Cuba,” Rubio said of the eyebrow-raising photo op.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio filled in for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, while the president’s spokeswoman is on maternity leave

Rubio downplayed the significance of this photo posted earlier in the day showing the secretary of state shaking hands with U.S. Southern Command boss General Francis Donovan with a map of Cuba in the background

Rubio explained that the map was not intended as a message, but that he wanted it in the photo because Cuba is one of the closest countries to the US within SOUTHCOM’s jurisdiction, despite Mexico being closer.

He said, “It would be good if we took a picture because we do [Cuba] like the closest thing to the United States, so there it is.”

When asked if there were any updates on the U.S. attempt to take control of Greenland, Rubio joked that he did not have a map of Greenland.

“Foreign Affairs Officer Marco Rubio today visited #SOUTHCOM and met with General Francis L. Donovan. Their discussions focused on U.S. efforts to counter threats that undermine security, stability, and democracy in our hemisphere,” the caption of the photo with Rubio read.

Some online saw the image as a subtle nod to the Trump administration’s ambitions to implement regime change in the communist country located about 90 miles from Florida.

Trump and Rubio have been outspoken about their desire to bring about regime change in the island.

In January, Rubio testified before Congress and said, “I think we would like to see the regime change there,” referring to Cuba.

Trump doubled down in March, saying he wants “the honor of taking Cuba,” adding, “Whether I liberate it, take it, I think I can do whatever I want with it.”

He reiterated that desire last week, noting that the U.S. will prepare to take over Cuba “almost immediately.”

Rubio entered the press conference room and was warmly greeted by a room full of enthusiastic reporters

The foreign minister noted how Cuba’s economy is collapsing as it is cut off from Venezuela’s oil supply following the overthrow of ex-dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Since the administration captured Venezuela’s former dictator Nicolás Maduro, Trump and his team have openly named Cuba as their next target, although there were few signs of a U.S. military operation against the island until Rubio posed for a photo with Cuba prominently featured on the map behind him next to SOUTHCOM commander General Donovan.

The administration has also expressed hope that Cuba’s dire financial situation — worsened after Maduro’s overthrow cut the island off from free Venezuelan oil — will trigger a leadership collapse.

“The problem in Cuba: Their economic model is not working,” Rubio told reporters on Tuesday. “And the people in charge can’t solve it… The only thing worse than a communist is an incompetent communist, and that’s what they are in that country.”

Making his debut as acting White House spokesperson, Rubio answered a barrage of questions with ease despite barely knowing any of the reporters in the room.

At one point, the foreign minister joked that journalists should wear name tags so he could see who he was talking to.

A lighter relief came when Rubio was asked for his DJ name after footage of him behind the decks at Trump aide Dan Scavino’s wedding went viral.

“You’re not ready for my DJ name yet,” he replied, grinning.