Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a possible military strike on Cuba, as officials warn the Caribbean nation is becoming a growing national security threat due to its ties with Russia, China and Iran
Donald Trump has reportedly instructed the Pentagon to prepare plans for striking Cuba following the unravelling of his Iran strategy.
Senior administration officials are cautioning the US President that Cuba is emerging as an increasing national security concern due to its connections with Russia, China and Iran.
According to a bombshell Politico report, “the odds of Trump attacking Cuba are going up” and the US Southern Command has over recent weeks “convened a planning series”.
“The mood has definitely changed,” said the person familiar with discussions.
“The initial idea on Cuba was that the leadership was weak and that the combination of stepped-up sanctions enforcement, really an oil blockade, and clear U.S. military wins in Venezuela and Iran would scare the Cubans into making a deal.”
“Now Iran has gone sideways, and the Cubans are proving much tougher than originally thought. So now military action is on the table in a way that it wasn’t before.”
Trump himself has repeatedly suggested that Cuba could be next.
Speaking earlier this year, the President cautioned the Cuban regime was “going to fall” because of American pressure.
“We cut off all oil, all money, or we cut off everything coming in from Venezuela,” Trump said. “They want to make a deal.”
He added: “That’s one of the small ones for me.” The White House has yet to publicly confirm any military plans, though reports indicate that officials have explored a variety of options — including naval blockades, drone strikes and operations aimed at Cuban military infrastructure.
The renewed attention on Cuba follows the international backlash triggered by Trump’s aggressive strategy towards Iran, which sent oil prices soaring and sparked growing unease among Republicans over the prospect of a wider conflict.
Analysts suggest the administration may now consider Cuba a more politically straightforward target, given its proximity to the United States and the deep-rooted hostility felt towards Havana amongst sections of the Cuban-American community in Florida.
Tensions boiled over this week after US intelligence reports claimed Cuba had obtained more than 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023.
According to Axios, American officials are keeping a close eye on alleged discussions within the Cuban military regarding potential strikes on Guantanamo Bay and even Key West, Florida.
Havana has fiercely rejected the accusations.
Cuban President Miguel DÃaz-Canel cautioned that any American assault would spark a “bloodbath” and cause devastating damage to regional stability.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno RodrÃguez Parrilla accused Washington of fabricating a crisis to justify intervention, alleging the US was concocting “fraudulent” claims deliberately designed to clear the path for military aggression. Meanwhile, over 30 Democratic lawmakers have called on Trump to dismiss military action altogether, cautioning that inflammatory language could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe throughout the Caribbean.
