Heightened tensions and military preparations reported between Cuba and the United States

Tensions between Cuba and the United States have escalated significantly following reports of a potential Cuban plan to strike U.S. targets using over 300 drones. According to the website Axios, which cites classified U.S. intelligence documents, Havana is allegedly planning attacks against the Guantanamo Bay naval base, U.S. warships, and Key West, Florida. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected these claims, stating that Cuba does not pose a threat, while Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez emphasized the country's right to legitimate self-defense. In response to increasing pressure and a ongoing U.S. energy blockade, the Cuban civil defense service has published a manual for families on how to protect themselves from potential military aggression. This follows a high-profile, non-secret visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana last week for urgent talks with Cuban officials. U.S. officials have expressed concerns regarding the purchase of drones and the presence of Iranian military advisors in Cuba. The Cuban public, currently facing severe power outages and economic shortages, is increasingly preparing for the possibility of military conflict.