Cuba has obtained over 300 military drones and has explored various scenarios involving the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. naval vessels, and the area of Key West, Florida, based on classified intelligence disclosed to Axios.
This intelligence indicates a rising unease within the Trump administration regarding advancements in drone warfare and the assistance of Iranian military personnel in Cuba, as detailed by a senior U.S. official.
“We are worried about these technologies being operated in close proximity to the United States and the variety of entities involved, including terrorist organizations, drug trafficking groups, Iran, and Russia,” the official remarked. “This is a growing concern.”
CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba on Thursday, cautioning Cuban authorities against behaviors perceived as antagonistic by the United States. He also encouraged the Cuban government to undertake political reforms that might result in the relaxation of U.S. sanctions, according to a CIA source.
“Director Ratcliffe emphasized that Cuba should no longer act as a base for adversaries to propagate hostile initiatives in the Western Hemisphere,” the source stated.
The Department of Justice is anticipated to reveal an indictment against Raul Castro this week in connection with the 1996 incident involving the downing of a Brothers to the Rescue airplane, operated by a Miami humanitarian group. Additional sanctions targeting Cuba may also be announced.
U.S. officials report that since 2023, Cuba has received drones with offensive capabilities from Russia and Iran, deploying them at various sites throughout the island. They further note that Cuba has recently sought more military equipment from Russia and has analyzed Iran’s responses to U.S. military actions and pressures.
According to U.S. officials, both Russia and China currently operate signals intelligence facilities in Cuba. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth expressed during a congressional hearing that the presence of foreign adversaries so near to U.S. territory remains a significant worry.
Concerns surrounding drone warfare have escalated following Iran’s recent deployment of drones in the Middle East. U.S. officials believe that thousands of Cuban soldiers have participated alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, likely gaining insight into contemporary drone strategies.
Despite these concerns, U.S. officials maintain that they do not view Cuba as an immediate military threat or that it is actively gearing up for assaults on U.S. targets. However, intelligence assessments suggest that Cuban military leaders have contemplated potential drone warfare scenarios should tensions with the U.S. rise.
Officials also noted that Cuba’s military capabilities today are not comparable to those it had during the Cold War, and it does not pose a threat akin to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.