The U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, stated on Wednesday that a potential operation to capture or eliminate Miguel Díaz-Canel is still under consideration. He made these remarks during a press briefing at the Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
Journalist and activist Laura Loomer inquired whether a strategy similar to the one used against Maduro in Venezuela could be applied to the Cuban leader. Hegseth responded candidly, "Options, options, options. Our role is to provide a range of options, depending on the direction from the President of the United States, who serves as the commander-in-chief."
When directly questioned if the capture or elimination of Díaz-Canel remains a viable option, the Secretary of War did not dismiss the possibility. "We have plans for every scenario. That is our mission. We are dedicated to planning. Apart from the Pentagon, no one plans better than U.S. Central Command," he asserted.
The Final Decision Rests with Trump
"All those options are on the table," Hegseth emphasized. "The President expects us to respond with decisiveness and strength. We will certainly provide the necessary firepower if required," he warned.
These comments followed Hegseth's visit to the Guantanamo Naval Base, where he issued stern warnings to the Cuban regime and introduced the so-called "Donroe Doctrine," an evolution of the Monroe Doctrine aimed at "reclaiming the hemisphere" for Washington's influence.
During his time at Guantanamo, Hegseth highlighted Operation Absolute Resolve on January 3, 2026, when U.S. special forces captured Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. He issued a direct warning to the Havana regime: "Russian air defenses and Cuban guards were no match for our operators, our Rangers."
Hegseth also cautioned that it would be "unwise" for Cuba to pursue weaponry capable of reaching the base or the U.S. mainland, as it would invite "a confrontation they do not wish for, nor could they withstand."
Tensions in the Caribbean
This rhetoric escalates against the backdrop of a crisis that intensified in May 2026, after Axios reported Cuba's acquisition of over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023, potentially targeting Guantanamo, naval vessels, and locations in Florida.
In response, the Trump administration deployed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to the Caribbean on May 20 and tasked the Southern Command with developing military action scenarios against the island, ranging from limited air strikes to a full-scale ground invasion.
From Havana, Díaz-Canel claimed that Washington is contemplating three scenarios against Cuba: inciting social unrest, enforcing coercive dialogue, or executing a direct military assault. He warned that an invasion would lead to a "bloodbath with unpredictable consequences."
Nevertheless, Hegseth left open the possibility of diplomatic engagement: "We do not seek adversaries. We are a great friend. We hope to soon extend that friendship to the Cuban government's leadership. For now, we will see how events unfold."
Key Questions on U.S. Strategy Regarding Cuba
What are the potential military options the U.S. is considering against Cuba?
The U.S. is considering a range of military options, including limited air strikes and a full-scale ground invasion, as part of its strategy against Cuba.
What is the "Donroe Doctrine" mentioned by Hegseth?
The "Donroe Doctrine," introduced by Pete Hegseth, is an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine aimed at reasserting U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.
How has Cuba responded to the U.S. military threats?
Cuba, through Díaz-Canel, has warned of unpredictable consequences and a potential "bloodbath" if the U.S. proceeds with a military invasion.