Cuba acquires over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran, weighs potential attacks on US targets

Classified US intelligence reveals Cuba has acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023 and discussed potential attacks on US targets including Guantanamo Bay and Caribbean naval assets. The drone acquisition follows Cuba's deployment of approximately 5,000 soldiers to fight for Russia in Ukraine, where they observed drone warfare effectiveness firsthand, with Moscow paying Havana about $25,000 per soldier. Cuba faces severe domestic crisis with nearly 10 million people enduring 20+ hour daily power outages after its electrical grid partially collapsed on May 15, 2026, the same day CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana to deliver Trump's message conditioning engagement on fundamental policy changes. The situation escalates existing tensions, with the Justice Department preparing to indict Raúl Castro for a 1996 attack and Trump's January 2026 tariff threats having already cut off Cuban oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico.

Cuban military drone acquisition

• ▪Cuba has more than 300 military drones as of May 2026.
• ▪Iranian military advisers were recently in Havana as of May 2026.
• ▪Cuba has been acquiring various attack drones from Iran and Russia since 2023.

Cuban soldiers in Ukraine

• ▪US officials estimate that as many as 5,000 Cuban soldiers have fought for Russia in the war in Ukraine.
• ▪Moscow paid Havana about $25,000 per soldier deployed to Ukraine.

Potential attacks on US

• ▪Cuba's intelligence officials were seeking to learn how Iran resisted the US during Operation Epic Fury.
• ▪Cuba has discussed using military drones to attack the US base in Guantanamo Bay, according to US intelligence.

Trump administration Cuba pressure

• ▪Raúl Castro is the brother of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.
• ▪US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with fuel in January 2026.
• ▪Venezuela cut off crude oil shipments to Cuba after Trump's tariff threats in January 2026.
• ▪Additional sanctions against Cuba are expected to be announced within the next few weeks as of May 2026.
• ▪Miguel Diaz-Canel is Cuba's President as of January 27, 2026.
• ▪The Department of Justice announced plans to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro for ordering a 1996 strike on Brothers to the Rescue.

Cuban electrical grid collapse

• ▪Havana residents suffer without electricity for 20 hours or more each day as of May 2026.
• ▪Cuba's electrical grid suffered a partial collapse on May 15, 2026, cutting power across eastern Cuba.
• ▪The vast majority of Cuba's nearly 10 million people suffer without electricity for 20 hours or more each day as of May 2026.

CIA Director Havana visit

• ▪John Ratcliffe delivered a message from Trump that the US would engage with Cuba's government on economic and security issues only if Cuba makes fundamental changes.
• ▪CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana on May 15, 2026.

Perspective of United States government

• ▪US officials are concerned about hostile military technologies being positioned in close proximity to American territory as of May 2026.
• ▪The Trump administration conditions US engagement with Cuba's government on Cuba making fundamental changes to its policies.

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