Why It Matters
Classified U.S. intelligence reveals Cuba has acquired more than 300 military drones and recently discussed using them against American targets including the Guantanamo Bay naval base, U.S. vessels, and potentially Key West, Florida. The disclosures come as the Trump administration cites developments in drone warfare and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana as mounting security concerns just 90 miles from U.S. shores.
A senior U.S. official told reporters the proximity of advanced drone technology and adversarial actors ranging from terror groups to drug cartels, Iranians, and Russians constitutes a growing threat to American security.
What Happened
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba on Thursday and warned officials against hostile actions, according to a CIA official. Ratcliffe urged the government to abandon its totalitarian system to end U.S. sanctions and made clear Cuba cannot serve as a platform for adversaries to advance hostile agendas in the Western Hemisphere.
The Department of Justice plans to unseal an indictment Wednesday against Cuba’s de facto leader Raúl Castro for allegedly ordering the 1996 downing of two aircraft flown by Miami-based aid group Brothers to the Rescue. Additional sanctions targeting Cuba are expected this week.
Cuba’s embassy issued a written statement asserting the country’s right to self-defense under international law but did not deny possessing attack drones. The statement accused the U.S. of fabricating pretexts and spreading falsehoods.
By the Numbers
Cuba has been acquiring attack drones of varying capabilities from Russia and Iran since 2023, positioning them strategically across the island. Within the past month, Cuban officials sought additional drones and military equipment from Russia.
U.S. officials estimate approximately 5,000 Cuban soldiers have fought for Russia in Ukraine, with Russia paying Cuba’s government roughly $25,000 per deployed soldier. These forces have gained firsthand exposure to drone warfare tactics employed in the conflict.
Russia and China operate high-tech signals intelligence collection facilities in Cuba. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress Tuesday that foreign adversaries using such facilities close to U.S. shores is highly problematic.
Zoom Out
The intelligence comes amid heightened U.S. concerns about drone warfare following Iran’s use of unmanned aircraft against American forces. Iranian drones have damaged U.S. bases in the Middle East, helped close the Strait of Hormuz, and threatened Persian Gulf states alongside missile attacks.
Intelligence intercepts indicate Cuban officials are studying how Iran has resisted U.S. pressure. The senior U.S. official said Cuban soldiers returning from Ukraine are informing the island’s military leaders about the effectiveness of drone warfare.
Cuba remains classified as a state sponsor of terror by the U.S. and is considered a source of revolutionary Marxism throughout Latin America. The Castro regime faces its most serious challenges since the 1959 revolution due to U.S. sanctions and economic mismanagement.
What’s Next
U.S. officials do not believe Cuba poses an imminent threat or is actively planning attacks on American interests. However, intelligence indicates Cuban military officials have discussed drone warfare contingency plans in case relations with the U.S. continue deteriorating.
The Justice Department’s planned indictment of Raúl Castro and forthcoming sanctions signal an escalation in U.S. pressure on the island nation. The Trump administration is leveraging improved relations with Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro’s January ouster to gather additional intelligence on Cuba’s military capabilities.