U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning to the Cuban government on Thursday, asserting that Washington demands "increased cooperation from Cuba, whether they like it or not." These comments were made during a press conference aboard the USS Gridley, with the Panama Canal serving as a backdrop, following the multinational military exercises, PANAMAX 2026.
Hegseth's remarks, as reported by journalist Alex Salvi, were unambiguous: "For too long, they have threatened the United States by allowing foreign nations and malicious actors to spy on America from their territory. Are they acquiring weapons capable of reaching the United States of America? That's worrisome."
The Secretary emphasized that nations like Cuba are "on notice" and that the U.S. "will not tolerate such malignant influence in our hemisphere," aligning the Trump administration's policy under what he called the "Donroe Doctrine" or the "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine."
Strategic Moves Against Threats
"This is real, and our job is to execute the component that corresponds to the Department of Defense," Hegseth stated.
Hegseth also revealed that significant movements are expected in the coming weeks on the anti-narcotics front, related to the progress of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (A3C), a security alliance led by Washington and comprising nearly twenty countries from the hemisphere.
"You will witness some developments in the next few weeks that are truly significant," he noted.
All Options on the Table
When questioned about potential military action against Cuba, the Secretary did not rule out any possibilities: "As I've said before, and I believe you've seen what has occurred in other scenarios, all options are on the table, including military options."
He concluded his response with a statement that left no room for doubt: "We will have many options there and look forward to what comes next."
Weakening Influence of Havana
Hegseth also highlighted the diminishing influence of Havana and its allies in the region: "If you examine what foreign influence has achieved in our hemisphere, it has been quite minimal: the Russians, the Cubans, the Iranians, and Venezuela."
He added that the manner in which Latin American countries have approached the coalition "demonstrates they understand where the balance of power lies, particularly in this hemisphere. And certainly, this applies to Cuba as well."
These statements were made in the context of the multinational exercise PANAMAX 2026, held from August 3 to 13 in Panama with the participation of 18 countries and over 1,700 personnel, focusing on the defense of the Panama Canal and regional security cooperation.
This latest warning is part of a sustained escalation of verbal pressure from Washington on Havana throughout 2026.
In June, Hegseth visited the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and stated that the future of Cuba was "in the hands of the President of the United States and Cuban leadership," using the capture of Nicolás Maduro—detained by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026—as a direct warning to the Havana regime.
In May 2026, U.S. intelligence cited by Axios revealed that Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones manufactured in Russia and Iran since 2023, with potential targets including the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Key West, Florida.
The regime responded through Esteban Lazo, President of the National Assembly of People's Power, who stated at the "Fidel and Parliamentary Diplomacy" forum on the same Thursday that "no act of aggression against the people of the United States has ever originated from Cuba" and that the island "poses no threat to the United States."
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S.-Cuba Relations
What prompted Pete Hegseth's warning to Cuba?
Pete Hegseth's warning to Cuba was prompted by concerns over Cuba allowing foreign nations to spy on the United States and potentially acquiring weapons capable of reaching U.S. territory.
What is the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (A3C)?
The Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition (A3C) is a security alliance led by the United States, comprising nearly twenty countries from the hemisphere, aimed at combating drug cartels and enhancing regional security.
How has the Cuban regime responded to U.S. warnings?
The Cuban regime, through Esteban Lazo, has stated that Cuba poses no threat to the United States and that no act of aggression against the U.S. has originated from the island.