Hegseth warns Cuba over weapons buildup as UN voices alarm over US sanctions
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, visiting the Guantanamo Bay naval base, cautioned Havana against procuring arms capable of reaching US territory, while the United Nations human rights chief condemned sweeping sanctions for causing "widespread harm" to the population.
Escalating US pressure
The Trump administration has intensified economic and diplomatic pressure on Cuba through sanctions, an oil blockade, and the declaration of a national emergency that allows tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island. The measures have caused frequent power outages and, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, are affecting access to water, food, and healthcare. Turk said on Monday that such sanctions packages are "incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law."
Such severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce broad, indiscriminate and harsh effects on populations are incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law.
UN criticism and US defense
The White House defended its actions, saying the sanctions target leaders and entities supporting the Cuban regime's efforts to subvert US national security. An official pointed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance that Washington is ready for a new chapter if Cuba's leaders make a deal. "These sanctions target the leaders and entities who sustain the regime's malicious campaign to subvert and destabilize U.S. national security," the official stated.
These sanctions target the leaders and entities who sustain the regime's malicious campaign to subvert and destabilize U.S. national security.
Hegseth’s message to the troops
Hegseth, who participated in physical training with the troops, told them that the future of Cuba lies "in the hands of... the president of the United States and the leadership of Cuba" and that the War Department is prepared for "any possible contingency." He directly warned the Cuban government that attempting to procure weapons capable of hitting the base or US soil would be unwise and invite a confrontation "they could not stand."
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.
What happens with the future of Cuba is in the hands of... the president of the United States and the leadership of Cuba.
Drone reports and Cuban response
Recent US media reports, citing officials, said Cuba had obtained more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and had discussed using them against Guantanamo or even Florida. The Cuban foreign minister dismissed the reports as a "fraudulent dossier" to justify economic war and possible military aggression. The timing of Hegseth's visit fits a pattern of high-level trips: CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana in mid-May, and General Francis Donovan, the top US commander for Latin America, toured the base perimeter in late May.
- Cuba begins acquiring attack drones from Russia and Iran, per US officials
- Axios reports Cuba obtained 300+ military drones, discussed plans to attack Guantanamo
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe visits Havana, meets Cuban officials
- Gen. Francis Donovan visits Guantanamo, meets Cuban military leaders
- UN High Commissioner Volker Turk says US sanctions cause 'widespread harm'
- Hegseth visits Guantanamo, warns Cuba against acquiring weapons, says future of Cuba in Trump's hands
Previous diplomatic moves
President Trump has repeatedly signaled that Cuba could follow Venezuela in falling to US pressure. Havana's top officials have blasted hints of possible military action, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez describing the threats as possible international crimes. The US has also used the Guantanamo base as a detention center for migrant deportations.
