Cuba accuses US of building 'fraudulent case' for military action

May 18, 2026

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has denounced US claims that his country has obtained 300 attack drones and is planning strikes against American targets, calling it a fabricated justification for potential military action. The accusations, based on leaked classified intelligence reported by Axios, come as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages and rolling blackouts due to US economic sanctions and an oil blockade. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on the communist regime through increased surveillance flights, military buildups in the region, and threats of intervention similar to the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Who is affected

Cuban citizens experiencing rolling blackouts, food and medicine shortages, and disrupted public services
The Cuban government and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez
US President Donald Trump and his administration
CIA Director John Ratcliffe
Raúl Castro (former Cuban leader facing potential indictment)
US military personnel at Guantanamo Bay
Iranian military advisers allegedly in Havana
Residents of Key West, Florida and nearby US targets
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores (already captured)

What action is being taken

Cuba and the US are engaged in ongoing talks to find solutions to their differences
The US is conducting increased surveillance flights around Cuba
A US military force buildup in the region is underway
Cuban citizens are experiencing rolling blackouts affecting hospitals, pumping stations, transport, and rubbish collections
The Trump administration is conducting a pressure campaign against Cuba
Cuba is preparing for external aggression and self-defense

Why it matters

This situation represents a significant escalation in US-Cuba tensions that could lead to military conflict in the Western Hemisphere. The Trump administration's aggressive approach, including the recent unprecedented capture of Venezuela's Maduro, signals a dramatic shift in US foreign policy toward Latin America under the revived "Monroe Doctrine" (rebranded as the "Donroe Doctrine"). The humanitarian crisis in Cuba caused by fuel shortages and economic sanctions is triggering rare public dissent against the communist government, potentially destabilizing a nation that has resisted US pressure for over six decades. Any military intervention would have major geopolitical implications and could draw in other actors like Iran.

What's next

Raúl Castro faces a planned federal indictment by the US
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are due to stand trial in New York on drug trafficking charges
Continued talks between Cuba and the US on resolving their differences

Read full article from source: BBC