Cuba Viewed as Hostile by Majority of Americans, National Survey Reveals

A recent national survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov from January 9 to 12, 2026, with over 1,600 American adults, indicates that a significant portion of the U.S. population regards Cuba as a hostile or adversarial nation.

The findings reveal that a mere 2% of participants see Cuba as an ally, with only 12% describing it as "friendly."

In stark contrast, 36% categorize the nation as "unfriendly," and 21% outright label it as an "enemy" of the United States.

The sentiment is even more pronounced among registered voters: 39% perceive Cuba as "unfriendly," while 24% identify it as an "enemy."

Overall, 63% of registered voters view Cuba as a hostile entity toward the United States.

Perceptions differ across age and gender demographics: 67% of men and 47% of women consider Cuba to be either hostile or an enemy.

Negative sentiment intensifies with age: 43% among those aged 18 to 29, 53% between 30 and 44, 61% for ages 45 to 64, and 71% for those over 65.

In terms of political affiliation, 68% of Republican voters and 53% of Democrats agree that the Cuban regime is not friendly towards the United States.

Cuban-American Congressman Carlos Giménez commented on the results via his X account, stating, "The American people understand clearly: the regime in Cuba is an enemy of the United States."

The survey underscores a broad national consensus on the adversarial nature of the Cuban regime, occurring amidst escalating diplomatic tensions and pressures from Washington for political transformation on the island.