Cuba has acquired combat drones and is considering using them against the US
Cuba has received more than 300 military drones and has recently discussed the possibility of using them to attack the US base at Guantanamo, US warships and, possibly, the Key West area in Florida.
This is according to classified intelligence data seen by Axios.
US officials say that from 2023, Cuba will receive various types of attack drones from Russia and Iran, and will deploy them at strategic locations across the island.
One senior US official noted that Washington views the situation as a growing threat due to the development of drone technology and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana.
“When we think about such technologies so close to us and about various hostile actors, from terrorist groups to drug cartels, Iranians and Russians, it is a cause for concern,” the official said.
According to Axios, CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba on 17 May and, during meetings with officials, warned them against any hostile actions.
The CIA stated that Ratcliffe also urged the Cuban authorities to abandon their totalitarian model of governance in order to secure the lifting of US sanctions.
“Director Ratcliffe made it clear that Cuba can no longer be a platform for promoting hostile interests in our hemisphere,” said a CIA spokesperson.
It is also reported that the US Department of Justice plans to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 downing of a Brothers to the Rescue aircraft.
According to US officials, Cuba has also recently approached Russia with requests for new drones and military equipment.
The US believes that Cuban intelligence services are attempting to study Iran’s experience in countering American pressure.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hagset stated during congressional hearings that Washington has long been concerned about the activities of foreign states near the US coast. He also confirmed Raúl Castro’s involvement in the order to shoot down the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft.
US officials also stated that up to 5,000 Cuban military personnel may have taken part in Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to their estimates, some of them passed on information to the Cuban military leadership regarding the effectiveness of drone warfare.
At the same time, the US emphasises that it does not currently regard Cuba as a direct military threat.
“No one is worried about fighter jets from Cuba. It is not even clear whether they have a single aircraft that can fly,” said a US official.
He added that Cuba’s proximity to US territory remains a cause for concern for Washington.
