Cuba has reportedly sought to acquire a massive drone arsenal and military equipment from Russia while discussing possible attack scenarios involving American targets near the United States.
The Caribbean island nation has reportedly acquired more than 300 military drones and had discussed plans to use them to attack the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. military vessels and possibly Key West, Florida, 90 miles north of Havana, an Axios report said.
The reports alleged that Cuban officials also attempted to study how Iran resisted sustained American military pressure during the period of confrontation with the US
“When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it’s concerning,” the official told Axios.
The reports come at a time when US-Cuba relations have been worsening.
However, intelligence assessments also emphasised that US agencies do not currently consider Cuban preparations to be for an imminent attack operation.
They also indicated that the drone arsenal could be for a retaliatory contingency capability rather than for a Cuban first strike.
The recent drone acquisition also reflects the transformation in modern warfare when drones increasingly compensate for the lack of sophisticated air power, Navy or conventional strikes.
Cuba's embassy issued a statement to clarify its stance.
"Like any country, Cuba has the right to defend itself against external aggression. It is called self-defence, and it is protected by International Law and the UN Charter," the statement said.
.@CarlosFdeCossio
— Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) May 17, 2026
Like any country, Cuba has the right to defend itself against external aggression. It is called self-defense, and it is protected by International Law and the UN Charter.
Those from the US who seek the submission and, in fact, the destruction of the Cuban…
"Those from the US who seek the submission and, in fact, the destruction of the Cuban nation through military aggression and war, do not waste a single moment fabricating pretexts, creating and spreading falsehoods, and distorting as extraordinary the logical preparation required to face a potential aggression."
The US’s concern over drones comes as Iranian drones damaged American bases in the Middle East.
While US officials say they don't believe Cuba is an imminent threat, they said that the idea of the drone very close close is what they are uncomfortable with.
