US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning to Cuba during a visit to the US military base at Guantánamo Bay on February 22, stating that Havana's efforts to procure long-range weapons could lead to a confrontation it does not desire.
Speaking to US troops at the base, Hegseth said: "It would be unwise for the Cuban government to attempt to purchase or acquire weapons that could reach this base or US soil. They would be inviting a confrontation that they not only do not want, but cannot withstand."
The US defense secretary, wearing a blue T-shirt and black shorts as he joined troops in physical training, emphasized: "Cuba's future lies in the hands of the US president and Cuban leadership."
Earlier, US news site Axios reported that Cuba had received over 300 military drones since 2023 and was discussing plans to use them to attack the Guantánamo Bay base, US warships, and even the state of Florida. US officials revealed that Cuba is purchasing attack drones from Russia and Iran and seeking more.
Havana has denied this information. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused the US of fabricating claims to build a pretext for a new war.
Hegseth's trip to Guantánamo was his second since taking office, following an earlier visit in early 2025. It is also the latest in a series of visits by senior US officials to the island.
Late last month, the US general overseeing operations in the Americas visited Guantánamo and met with Cuban military leaders. Two weeks earlier, CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana for talks with Cuban officials.
Guantánamo Bay, located about 700 kilometers southeast of Miami, houses the infamous prison holding detainees captured after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The prison has been condemned by human rights organizations and UN experts for its harsh conditions.
US President Donald Trump has also mentioned using the base as a holding center for immigrants deported from the US.
