US Warns Cuba as Tensions Escalate Over Weapons and Sanctions
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Guantánamo Bay on June 10, warning Cuba against acquiring weapons that could threaten the US. 'It would be unwise for the government of Cuba to try to procure or get access to the types of weapons that could reach this base or the American homeland,' Hegseth said Source: Guardian. His remarks follow reports that Cuba acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran Source: Al Jazeera. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions and imposed an oil blockade, causing severe blackouts Source: AP News. Separately, the US indicted former President Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of civilian planes Source: Politifact. Cuba's top envoy to the US, Lianys Torres Rivera, called the moves a 'pretext' for military intervention Source: AP News. Meanwhile, some analysts suggest the upcoming World Cup in Miami might offer a temporary reprieve from escalation Source: Guardian. President Trump has indicated military action against Cuba will wait until after the Iran conflict, saying 'we're going to handle that as soon as we finish' Source: CNN. The standoff continues amid deep distrust, with Cuba's ambassador arguing the US is solely responsible for the humanitarian crisis Source: NPR.
Sources
6 quotes“It would be unwise for the government of Cuba to try to procure or get access to the types of weapons that could reach this base or the American homeland.”
“The sanctions against our leaders, we see as a pretext to make the American people think we are a threat.”
“They would be inviting the kind of confrontation not only do they not want but they could not stand.”
“We're going to handle that as soon as we finish. I like to do one thing at a time. As soon as that's done, on our way back, we'll just make a little brief stop.”
“There will be a decisive and resolute battle if the U.S. acts on its threats to invade the island.”
“So when United States says that what they want is Cuba to open their economy, they are not telling the truth. When the United States says that they care about human rights in Cuba, they are lying blatantly.”