The Cuban president also claimed the island’s right to defend itself after a report reporting the purchase of Russian and Iranian military drones by Havana
Cuba warned on Monday (18) about a “bloodbath” case Washington invade the islandwhile the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions against the main Cuban intelligence agency and several of its main leaders, in a new andescalation of tensions between the two countries.
The Cuban president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, he claimed on Monday the island’s right to defend itselfa day after the American news site Axios report that Havana acquired more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran.
According to the report, based on classified intelligence information, Havana is considering using them against a North American base at Guantanamo Bayon the eastern end of the island, and other targets.
This information was published in the midst of growing speculation that the government of the North American president, Donald Trump, would be considering taking military action to overthrow communist management in Cuba.
The report claimed that US military ships — and possibly even the state of Florida — could become target of drone attacks. A scenario that a US official, on condition of anonymity, presented as proof of the “growing threat” that Cuba represents for the United States.
In a message on X, Díaz-Canel stated, without referring to drones, that Cuba has “the absolute and legitimate right to defend itself against a military offensive”which “cannot be used logically or honestly as an excuse to impose a war against the noble Cuban people.”
Furthermore, the Cuban president considered that a military intervention against the island “will cause a bloodbath of incalculable consequences.”
In an interview with AFP in New York, the Cuban ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Ernesto Soberón, stated that the hypothesis of a Cuban attack against the United States “makes no sense” eaaccused Washington of “fabricating a pretext” to “justify” possible military action against the island.
The diplomat refused to answer questions about the existence of military drones.
More pressure
Adding even more tension to the situation, Washington intensified its pressure on Havana on Monday to the announce sanctions against its intelligence agency and nine Cuban citizens, including the ministers of Communications, Energy and Justice.
Several senior officials from the ruling Communist Party (PCC, single) and at least three generals are also among those sanctionedaccording to a statement from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Trump considers that Cuba, located 150 kilometers off the coast of Florida, represents “an exceptional threat” to the national security of the United States. The republican issued repeated threats to “take control” of Cuba and even suggested sending an aircraft carrier.
After overthrowing in Venezuela the former president Nicolas MaduroCuba’s main ally in Latin America, Washington stopped oil supplies Venezuelan to the island and threatens with sanctions the country that sells fuel to it.
The island, subject to the United States embargo since 1962has received just one Russian tanker since the end of January.
O lock petroleum of Trump keeps the Cuban economy practically paralyzedat the same time that it worsened the serious economic crisis that the country was already facing, with lack of food, medicine and prolonged blackouts.
The report from the Axios was published days after CIA director John Ratcliffe visited Havana to hold talks.
Furthermore, it came to light amid information from the North American press that suggests that the Trump administration seeks to incriminate Raúl Castro — the 94-year-old brother of the late revolutionary leader Fidel Castro — as part of his maximum pressure campaign against the island.
Havana maintains that the oil blockade caused a lack of diesel and fuel oil necessary for power the generators that complement electrical production of its seven deteriorating power plants.
On Monday, Cuba received a new humanitarian aid cargo coming from Mexicothe fifth sent to the island by the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum since February.
Unlike previous shipments, which were transported by the Mexican Navy, this cargo was taken by a merchant shipaccording to journalists from AFP. The vessel carries 1,700 tons of aid.
Cuba’s Food Industry Minister, Alberto López, declared that the cargo included powdered milk and beans aimed at children and the elderly.
