Hegseth’s go to to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, comes because the Trump administration will increase stress towards Cuba’s authorities.
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Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth has warned that Cuba might invite confrontation with america if it seeks to bolster its navy capabilities with new purchases.
Wednesday’s feedback come as US President Donald Trump continues to threaten potential military intervention on the Caribbean island.
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“It might be unwise of the federal government of Cuba to attempt to procure or get entry to the forms of weapons that would attain this base or the American homeland,” Hegseth stated throughout a go to to the US navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“They might be inviting the sort of confrontation not solely do they not need however they may not stand. No nation on Earth can match the capabilities of america of America.”
Hegseth didn’t supply specifics about the kind of navy weaponry Cuba would possibly search.
However his remarks observe a Could report within the information outlet Axios stating that the nation had acquired greater than 300 navy drones that would probably be used towards US forces.
Cuba sits roughly 140 kilometres, or 90 miles, from the southern tip of Florida, and the island’s communist management has lengthy had a tense relationship with the US authorities.
Because the Axios report was launched, Cuba has reiterated that it’s not a risk to the US. It has additionally underscored that it has the appropriate to defend itself, and it accused the US of “fabricating pretexts” and “creating and spreading falsehoods” to justify “potential aggression”.
Nonetheless, friction has elevated between the 2 international locations since Trump returned to workplace in 2025.
Following an assault on January 3 to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump has threatened to take navy motion elsewhere in Latin America, together with in Cuba.
He has additionally imposed a de facto power blockade on Cuba, threatening tariffs towards any nation that provides the island with oil. The ensuing gas shortages have triggered power blackouts throughout the nation, in addition to scarcities of different fundamental provides.
Earlier this week, Volker Turk, the United Nations excessive commissioner for human rights, slammed the US restrictions as having an outsized affect on probably the most susceptible members of Cuban society.
“Kids are dying as a result of medical doctors lack entry to important medical provides and medicines,” he stated. “That is unacceptable.”
However there are lingering issues that the US might search to escalate tensions with Cuba.
Since final yr, the US has been rising its navy presence within the Caribbean Sea. In Could, it deployed an plane service, the USS Nimitz, to the area, as properly.
The US has repeatedly described Cuba as an “uncommon and extraordinary risk” to its nationwide safety, and reviews have emerged that Trump is looking for regime change on the island.
Hegseth’s arrival in Guantanamo Bay follows a go to final month from Normal Francis Donovan, the chief of the US Southern Command, which oversees navy motion in Latin America.
Throughout Wednesday’s go to, Hegseth stated the US is looking for a optimistic relationship with Cuba and implied change was imminent.
“Quickly, we may very well be a good friend of the management of the federal government of Cuba,” he stated.
However he didn’t rule out the opportunity of navy motion.
“For now, let’s see what occurs. However the Division of Warfare will give the commander-in-chief each single possibility he wants inside that contingency,” Hegseth stated.
“What occurs with the way forward for Cuba is within the arms of … the president of america and the management of Cuba.”
