The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed a report published by the American media outlet Axios, which claimed that Cuba had procured over 300 military attack drones from Russia and Iran. The Ministry labeled the report as fiction, suggesting it was part of an information war.
Responding to a query from Reuters about whether Cuba had requested military aid from Moscow, the Ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, provided a diplomatic answer. "We maintain communication with Cuba on all matters of mutual interest," she stated, as reported by RT, neither confirming nor denying any specific request for weaponry.
The Axios report, which was released last Saturday and based on classified intelligence shared by U.S. government officials, suggested that Cuba has been acquiring drones with varying capabilities since 2023, storing them at strategic locations across the island.
According to this source, Cuban officials allegedly discussed plans to use these drones against the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, U.S. military ships, and potentially Key West, Florida.
The Cuban regime did not explicitly deny possessing the drones amid the ensuing controversy. Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, merely accused Washington of fabricating pretexts for military aggression.
Additionally, the Cuban Foreign Ministry posted on X: "If Cuba is attacked, it will exercise its right to legitimate defense."
On Monday, Miguel Díaz-Canel escalated the rhetoric by warning that a U.S. military aggression "would result in a bloodbath of incalculable consequences," labeling Washington's threats as "an international crime."
Apart from the denial regarding the drones, Zakharova used the press conference to defend the Cuban regime and criticize the policies of the Trump administration. "Cuba continues to face brutal economic pressure from the United States," she asserted, describing the sanctions as "economic strangulation" and a "cynical embodiment of a revived Monroe Doctrine."
The Russian diplomat concluded her remarks by reaffirming Moscow's support for Havana. "We reiterate our full solidarity with Cuba and strongly condemn any attempts at blatant interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of illegal restrictive measures, threats, and blackmail," Zakharova declared.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Alleged Drone Acquisitions
Did Cuba officially deny possessing military drones from Russia and Iran?
No, the Cuban regime did not explicitly deny owning the drones. Instead, they accused the U.S. of fabricating pretexts for aggression.
How did the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond to the drone allegations?
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the report as fiction and part of an information war, without confirming or denying any requests for military aid from Cuba.
What was the reaction of Cuban officials to the Axios report?
Cuban officials did not explicitly address the possession of drones but accused the U.S. of creating justifications for military aggression.