Washington is watching with concern potential threats of 300 drones from Cuba

A secret American intelligence report revealed that Cuba had acquired more than 300 military drones, and had recently begun discussing possible plans to use them to launch attacks against the American base in Guantanamo Bay, American military ships, and perhaps the city of Key West in Florida, which is only 90 miles from the capital, Havana.

Dimensions of the American threat and fears

According to the Axios website, the intelligence report, which may be used as a pretext for any future American military action, shows the extent of the US administration’s concern about Cuban developments, especially in light of the growing drone war and the presence of Iranian military advisors in Havana.

“When we see this kind of technology on our doorstep, coupled with a host of bad actors ranging from terrorist groups, drug cartels, all the way to the Iranians and Russians, it’s alarming, it’s a growing threat,” a senior US official told Axios.

Washington’s movements and escalation of pressure

In response to these developments, the Director of the CIA (CIA), John Ratcliffe, visited Cuba last Thursday, where he issued a clear and stern warning to officials there against engaging in any hostile actions. He also urged them to end the totalitarian regime to avoid stifling sanctions. An agency official quoted Ratcliffe as saying: “Cuba cannot continue as a platform for our adversaries to advance their hostile agendas… The Western Hemisphere will not be a playing field for our adversaries.”

In a related context, the US Department of Justice intends, on Wednesday, to unveil an indictment against the de facto Cuban leader, Raul Castro, on the grounds that he was accused of issuing orders to shoot down a plane belonging to the relief group “Brothers of the Rescue” (Brothers to the Rescue) based in Miami, in 1996. A new sanctions package is also expected to be announced this week, while it was not possible to obtain a comment from the Cuban side.

Axis (Moscow – Tehran – Havana)

Intelligence details indicate that Cuba has been purchasing attack drones of “varying capabilities” from Russia and Iran since 2023, and is storing them in strategic locations. Over the past month, Havana has sought to obtain more military equipment from Moscow, while intelligence intercepts show Cuban efforts to learn the methods of “Iranian resistance” against Washington.

The presence of advanced Russian and Chinese spy facilities in Cuba also complicates the scene. In this regard, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed before Congress: “We have always been concerned about a foreign adversary using sites very close to our shores… This represents a major problem.”

Ukrainian experience and Iranian tactics

These concerns are gaining additional momentum given Iran’s extensive use of drones in the Middle East. In the same context, Washington estimates that about 5,000 Cuban soldiers are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, at a price of $25,000 per soldier. These soldiers conveyed their experiences about the effectiveness of drones to the leadership in Havana. The American official commented: “They are part of Putin’s meat grinder, and they are learning Iranian tactics, which is a scenario we must prepare for.”

Regional context and threat assessment

This crisis comes at a time when the Cuban regime is suffering from financial hardship and US sanctions that make it closer than ever to collapse, especially after the overthrow of its Venezuelan ally, Nicolas Maduro, in a US operation early last January. The gradual normalization of relations with Venezuela (post-Maduro) has allowed the United States to collect more accurate information about the Cuban program.

Despite all these facts, US intelligence does not believe that Cuba represents an “imminent threat” or that it is actually planning to launch an attack now. Rather, these discussions fall within contingency plans in the event that relations deteriorate and hostilities erupt. Experts also downplay Cuba’s conventional military capabilities compared to the 1962 missile crisis.

The American official concludes the report by saying: “No one is worried about Cuban fighter planes. It is not even clear if they have a plane capable of flying… but it is worth noting how close they are (only 90 miles)… It is a reality that we do not feel comfortable with.”