It was reported on May 17 that according to classified U.S. intelligence assessments, Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran and had discussed potential scenarios of strikes on U.S. targets – including the Guantanamo Bay naval base, U.S. military vessels, and possibly Key West, Florida. According to the report, by Axios, Cuba had allegedly been “stockpiling” drones in recent years while also examining how Iran has used unmanned aerial systems in regional conflicts involving the U.S.
The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) followed up by publishing more information on this along with its findings about a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel’s imagining of Cuban drone strikes on U.S. territory. Below is the MEMRI report:
Against this backdrop, Russian officials publicly reaffirmed Moscow’s political support for Cuba, though without directly acknowledging military cooperation related to drones. On May 16, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Russia “stands shoulder to shoulder with Cuba” and would continue supporting the island amid U.S. pressure and blockade measures. Ryabkov further described Cuba as a historically close partner and emphasized bilateral cooperation “on many aspects of the formation of a new world order.” Similarly, on May 18, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian authorities maintain regular contacts with Cuba and exchange information “on possible ways to mitigate the consequences of the fuel crisis.”
The topic was picked up by a Latin America-focused Telegram channel affiliated with an influential pro-Kremlin media network. On May 19, the network published a post discussing the Axios report and Cuba’s alleged acquisition of Russian and Iranian drones. While characterizing the information as “rumors,” it suggested that the drones in question were “most likely ‘Geran’ [Shahed-type] drones.” Stressing what it called Cuba’s adaptation to the “realities of modern conflicts,” it wrote that “the Cuban leadership has begun to take into account the realities of modern conflicts and prepare to give real resistance to American forces.”
The channel also referred to recent tensions involving Venezuela and Iran, arguing that “the decision to purchase strike UAVs already seemed inevitable,” while presenting “Geran” drones as an asymmetric deterrence tool against the U.S.
According to the post, while such drones “may not save the island from a full-scale military invasion,” they “could once again damage the reputation of the ‘invincible’ American troops.” The authors further argued that a successful drone strike on U.S. territory “would directly affect Trump and his team […] the White House will now think a hundred times before using force against Cuba: whether it would cost political and military losses.”
Read the full report on MEMRI.org here.
