Brigadier General Arthur J. Garffer, who serves as Puerto Rico's Secretary of Public Security, issued a strong warning to the Cuban regime during an exclusive interview with Telemundo 51, conducted at the Roosevelt Roads Air Base in Ceiba.
The conversation, led by journalist Marilys Llanos, left no room for interpretation.
"Cuba has been warned. The liberation of Cuba is imminent," Garffer declared, remarks that have resonated within the Cuban community since being released this Wednesday.
Garffer speculated that July 26th might be the date for the overthrow of Díaz-Canel's government.
The Significance of July 26th
Referencing the symbolic date of July 26th—known as the Day of National Rebellion, commemorating the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks—the general shared his concrete expectation:
"It would be remarkable if some form of overthrow of this dictatorial communist regime occurs by or on that day."
He assessed the current climate with candor: "Given what is publicly visible, the end of the Castro and Díaz-Canel dictatorial communist regime appears to be approaching."
Direct Message to Regime Leaders
Garffer also conveyed a direct ultimatum to the regime's leaders, offering what the military terms "voluntary exits."
"They are being given several chances to go to Russia, China, or North Korea—countries they favor—so they should head there," he stated.
However, he cautioned that this window of opportunity is not unlimited:
"If they do not seize this chance, there is what we call a point of decision, which is already under administration."
Summing up the military stance, he declared, "Options with Cuba are running out. The military awaits the command."
False Machismo and Historical Comparisons
When asked about the potential resolution in Cuba, the general dismissed the regime’s apparent toughness with historical parallels.
"We're witnessing much of Díaz-Canel's rhetoric, similar to what Maduro, the Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran, and Raoul Cédras in Haiti used in the '90s and 2000s—a false machismo," he asserted.
"At this point, in these diplomatic negotiations, the United States holds all the cards," he added firmly.
Military Preparations Underway Since 2025
Garffer disclosed that military preparations have been ongoing:
"This has been in progress since July or August of last year, in what we call shaping operations. We are setting the stage to execute operations."
The Roosevelt Roads Base, featuring an 11,000-foot runway, was closed in 2004 but reactivated by the Trump administration.
Aircraft and helicopters that participated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026 launched from this base.
In further statements, the general explained the context of the visit made by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to the Guantánamo Naval Base this Wednesday:
"This is part of the Secretary of War’s visit, sending a clear and firm message on American soil, yet in Cuba, that the encirclement and negotiation avenues will soon reach a conclusion one way or another."
Hegseth warned from Guantánamo that the Department of War was "prepared and positioned for any possible eventuality."
This situation unfolds amid increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, with over 1,300 marines deployed in the region since late May. This follows the federal indictment of Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of Brothers to the Rescue planes, prompting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to label him a "fugitive of justice."
The date of July 26th, highlighted by Garffer as a potential turning point, carries deep symbolic weight for the Cuban regime and could mark the beginning of the end of more than six decades of dictatorship on the island, according to the general.
Key Questions About Potential Military Action in Cuba
Why is July 26th significant for Cuba?
July 26th is celebrated as the Day of National Rebellion in Cuba, marking the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, a pivotal event in Cuba's history.
What message did General Garffer convey to the Cuban regime?
General Garffer warned the Cuban regime that options are dwindling, and military action could be imminent if the leaders do not take voluntary exits to countries like Russia, China, or North Korea.
What preparations are underway for potential military action in Cuba?
Military preparations have been ongoing since mid-2025, involving shaping operations to set the stage for possible actions against the Cuban regime.