US military chief Hegseth warns Cuba against acquiring military arms

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkUS Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 30, 2026 [File: Edgar Su/Reuters]By Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and ReutersPublished On 10 Jun 202610 Jun 2026Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned that Cuba could invite confrontation with the United States if it seeks to bolster its military capabilities with new purchases.Wednesday’s comments come as US President Donald Trump continues to threaten possible military intervention on the Caribbean island.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3UN human rights leader calls for Cuba sanctions to be ‘lifted immediately’list 2 of 3US raises threat of military action against Cubalist 3 of 3US raises pressure on Cuba as it sanctions President Diaz-Canelend of list“It would be unwise of 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 during a visit to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.“They would be inviting the kind of confrontation not only do they not want but they could not stand. No country on Earth can match the capabilities of the United States of America.”Hegseth did not offer specifics about the type of military weaponry Cuba might seek.But his remarks follow a May report in the news outlet Axios stating that the country had acquired more than 300 military drones that could potentially be used against US forces.Cuba sits roughly 140 kilometres, or 90 miles, from the southern tip of Florida, and the island’s communist leadership has long had a tense relationship with the US government.Since the Axios report was released, Cuba has reiterated that it is not a threat to the US. It has also underscored that it has the right to defend itself, and it accused the US of “fabricating pretexts” and “creating and spreading falsehoods” to justify “potential aggression”. Still, friction has increased between the two countries since Trump returned to office in 2025.Following an attack on January 3 to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump has threatened to take military action elsewhere in Latin America, including in Cuba.He has also imposed a de facto energy blockade on Cuba, threatening tariffs against any country that supplies the island with oil. The resulting fuel shortages have caused energy blackouts across the country, as well as scarcities of other basic supplies.Earlier this week, Volker Turk, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, slammed the US restrictions as having an outsized impact on the most vulnerable members of Cuban society.“Children are dying because doctors lack access to essential medical supplies and medicines,” he said. “This is unacceptable.”But there are lingering concerns that the US may seek to escalate tensions with Cuba.Since last year, the US has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean Sea. In May, it deployed an aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, to the region, as well.The US has repeatedly described Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to its national security, and reports have emerged that Trump is seeking regime change on the island. Hegseth’s arrival in Guantanamo Bay follows a visit last month from General Francis Donovan, the leader of the US Southern Command, which oversees military action in Latin America.During Wednesday’s visit, Hegseth said the US is seeking a positive relationship with Cuba and implied change was imminent.“Soon, we could be a friend of the leadership of the government of Cuba,” he said.But he did not rule out the possibility of military action.“For now, let’s see what happens. But the Department of War will give the commander-in-chief every single option he needs within that contingency,” Hegseth said.“What happens with the future of Cuba is in the hands of … the president of the United States and the leadership of Cuba.”