Cuba denies US allegations of drone threat against Guantanamo Bay and Florida

May 17, 2026

Cuba has rejected US military intelligence claims that it acquired over 300 military drones and discussed attacking Guantanamo Bay, US vessels, and Key West, Florida. The allegations, reported by Axios on May 17, 2026 citing classified sources, come amid escalating Trump administration pressure on Cuba, including threats that Cuba is 'next' after capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January 2026 and plans to indict 94-year-old former Cuban leader Raul Castro. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez characterized the drone allegations as fabrications designed to justify sanctions and military intervention, stating Cuba neither threatens nor desires war. The tensions follow CIA Director John Ratcliffe's rare high-level visit to Havana on May 14, 2026, where he met with Cuban officials including Raul Castro's grandson.

Cuban drone acquisition allegations

▪A senior U.S. official told Axios the intelligence shows the degree to which the Trump administration sees Cuba as a threat because of developments in drone warfare and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana.
▪Reuters could not immediately verify the Axios report on Cuban drone acquisition.
▪An Axios report on May 17, 2026, citing classified intelligence, said Cuba had acquired more than 300 military drones.
▪The Axios report alleged that Havana had discussed plans to use the drones to attack the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, U.S. military vessels and Key West, Florida.

US-Cuba escalating tensions

▪The Trump administration has described Cuba's communist-run government as corrupt and incompetent as the administration pushes for change.
▪The Trump administration in January 2026 captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Raul Castro indictment plans

▪An indictment of Raul Castro would mark a major escalation in the pressure campaign against Cuba by the Trump administration.
▪U.S. Department of Justice sources told Reuters in the week before May 20, 2026 that they planned to indict former Cuban leader Raul Castro on charges related to Cuba's 1996 shooting down of two planes operated by humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue.

CIA Director Havana visit

▪CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Cuba on May 14, 2026 was an exceedingly rare high-level visit.
▪CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials, including Raul Castro's grandson, during a high-level visit to Cuba on May 14, 2026.

Cuban government denial response

▪Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez did not explicitly mention the drone allegations in his May 17, 2026 statement.
▪Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the U.S. on May 17, 2026 of fabricating a fraudulent case to justify economic sanctions and potential military intervention.

Legitimate self-defense invocation

▪Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on May 17, 2026 that Cuba neither threatens nor desires war.
▪Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on May 17, 2026 that Cuba prepares itself to confront external aggression in the exercise of the right to legitimate self-defense recognized by the UN Charter.

Perspective of United States / Trump administration

▪The Trump administration views Cuba as a significant threat due to developments in drone warfare and the presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana.