New intelligence cited in multiple reports alleges Cuba has acquired hundreds of military drones from Russia and Iran, prompting heightened concern inside the Trump administration over potential threats to U.S. military assets and territory.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
New intelligence assessments cited in media reports Sunday indicate U.S. officials are closely monitoring Cuba’s expanding drone capabilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana.
According to an Axios report, classified intelligence shared with U.S. officials alleges Cuba has acquired more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023 and has discussed potential use of the systems against American targets, including the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, American naval vessels and possibly Key West.
The report stated the intelligence emerged shortly after Iranian military advisers were reportedly observed in Havana. A senior U.S. official cited by Axios said the developments reflect growing concern within the Trump administration over drone warfare capabilities operating near U.S. territory.
“The intelligence could become a pretext for U.S. military action,” Axios wrote in a social media post accompanying the report.
Reuters later reported that U.S. officials were assessing the alleged threat, though the outlet noted it had not independently verified the intelligence claims.
According to the Axios report, U.S. intelligence officials do not currently believe Cuba is preparing an imminent attack. However, officials reportedly said Cuban military personnel have discussed possible drone warfare scenarios should relations between the two countries continue deteriorating.
The developments arrive amid increasingly aggressive rhetoric between the Trump administration and the Cuban government.
An earlier Axios report detailed growing speculation surrounding possible U.S. action against Cuba after President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified criticism of Havana’s government. The report described expanded U.S. surveillance flights near Cuba and stated some analysts believed military pressure on the island had increased significantly in recent months.
According to Axios, Trump has repeatedly expressed support for regime change in Cuba while administration officials have publicly characterized the island nation as an emerging security concern.
Last week, John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba for rare direct meetings with Cuban intelligence officials and Raúl Guillermo “Raulito” Rodríguez Castro, grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. According to another Axios report, Ratcliffe warned Cuban officials against hostile actions while urging political reforms that could ease U.S. sanctions.
The latest intelligence claims have also drawn skepticism from some commentators and political observers.
A Newsweek report noted that critics on the political left compared the allegations to intelligence assessments presented prior to the 2003 Iraq War, warning against relying on unverified claims to justify military escalation.
Additional reporting from international outlets citing the Axios intelligence stated U.S. officials are particularly concerned about Cuba’s growing military relationships with Russia and Iran as well as the strategic proximity of advanced drone systems to U.S. territory.
Officials cited in the reports also claimed Cuba had sought additional military equipment from Russia within the past month and was studying Iranian drone warfare tactics used in recent regional conflicts.
Cuba’s embassy reportedly later issued a written response on X after initially declining comment but did not directly deny possessing military drones, according to Axios.
The reports come as tensions across the Caribbean and Latin America continue intensifying following U.S. operations in Venezuela and broader geopolitical conflicts involving Iran and Russia.
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