Cuban Regime Issues Warning: "Cuba Will Defend Itself if Attacked"

On Sunday, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern warning on X, using the hashtag #LaPatriaSeDefiende: "If Cuba is attacked, it will exercise its right to legitimate defense." This statement came in direct response to a report by Axios suggesting that the Cuban regime had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023.

The Ministry's message referenced an earlier statement by Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío, who claimed that anti-Cuban efforts to justify a military aggression against the island were escalating with increasingly implausible accusations. He emphasized, "The U.S. is the aggressor, while Cuba stands as the aggrieved nation, supported by the principle of legitimate defense."

Defense Rhetoric Escalates

In a concurrent Facebook post, Fernández de Cossío elaborated on Cuba's stance: "Like any nation, Cuba has the right to defend itself against external aggression. This is known as legitimate defense, protected by International Law and the UN Charter. Those in the United States advocating for Cuba's submission and destruction through military aggression waste no time fabricating pretexts and spreading falsehoods."

Notably, the Deputy Foreign Minister did not deny the existence of the alleged drones or the regime's purported plans, choosing instead to maintain the usual rhetoric of blaming Washington.

Concerns Over Military Drone Acquisition

Intelligence sources cited by Axios claimed that Cuba had secured more than 300 military drones, strategically positioned across the island, and had begun considering using them against the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, U.S. military vessels, and possibly Key West, Florida.

U.S. officials further estimated that up to 5,000 Cuban soldiers have fought for Russia in Ukraine, with Moscow compensating the regime approximately $25,000 for each deployed soldier. Some of these soldiers have reportedly shared drone warfare knowledge with military leaders in Havana.

U.S. Officials Express Growing Concerns

A senior U.S. official summarized the underlying concern: "The proximity of such technologies, coupled with a range of dangerous actors from terrorist groups to drug cartels, Iranians, and Russians, is alarming. It represents a growing threat."

This development follows a visit from CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana last Thursday, marking the first such visit in over a decade. Ratcliffe directly warned regime officials against any hostile actions and urged the dismantling of the totalitarian system as a precondition for lifting sanctions.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is preparing a federal criminal indictment against Raúl Castro for allegedly ordering the downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996, resulting in four deaths.

The regime's rhetorical escalation aligns with a sustained pattern since the beginning of the year. The Cuban government has declared 2026 as the "Year of Defense Preparation," conducting civilian military exercises every Saturday featuring AK-47 rifles, drones, and anti-tank mines, while the Cuban population endures prolonged blackouts, food shortages, and an unprecedented economic crisis.

While the regime waves the flag of legitimate defense, U.S. officials clarified that they do not view Cuba as an imminent threat nor believe the regime is actively planning to attack U.S. interests. However, they cautioned, "It's not a reality we feel comfortable with."