Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned that any potential military action by the United States against Cuba would trigger severe consequences, saying such a conflict could turn into a “bloodbath” and destabilize the wider region.
The warning came after a report by Axios claimed Cuba had acquired more than 300 military drones allegedly intended for a possible attack on the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay. Havana strongly denied the allegations and accused Washington of attempting to build a “fraudulent case” against the socialist government.
Díaz-Canel said Cuba does not pose a threat to the United States and insisted the country has no intention of launching aggression against its northern neighbor. However, he warned that Cuba would retaliate if attacked.
“We are not a threat to the United States, but any military action against Cuba would have incalculable consequences for regional peace and stability,” Díaz-Canel said.
The growing tensions come amid worsening relations between Washington and Havana, with both countries exchanging accusations over regional security and military activity.
Axios reported that U.S. intelligence officials were concerned about Cuba’s alleged drone buildup near the strategically sensitive Guantanamo Bay naval base. Cuban officials dismissed the report as false and politically motivated.
The latest developments have fueled fears of a new geopolitical crisis in the Caribbean at a time of rising global tensions.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously joked that the U.S. Navy could strike Cuba while returning from operations in the Middle East, comments that drew criticism from Cuban officials and analysts.
In interviews with Reuters, several Cuban residents said they would defend the country if foreign military action occurred despite ongoing economic hardship and fuel shortages on the island.
“I know Cuba is a strong country,” Havana resident Sandra Roseaux said. “Cubans are very brave and they are not going to find us unprepared.”
The 57-year-old added: “My country, hungry or however it may be, will respond.”
Cuba has faced a deep economic and energy crisis in recent years amid tightening U.S. sanctions, declining fuel imports and broader instability involving regional allies including Venezuela.