Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned on Monday (18) that US military intervention against the island would "cause a bloodbath with incalculable consequences," one day after the Axios website reported that Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran. The statement was made via X amid growing speculation about possible military action by the Donald Trump government against the Cuban communist regime. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Las amenazas de agresión militar contra #Cuba de la mayor potencia del planeta son conocidas. Ya la amenaza constituye un crimen internacional. De materializarse, provocará un baño de sangue de consecuencias incalculables, más el impacto destructivo para la paz y la estabilidad… — Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) May 18, 2026"
"No domingo, o site norte-americano Axios revelou que Cuba teria adquirido mais de 300 drones e estaria a considerar usá-los para atacar a base militar norte-americana na ilha, em Guatánamo, além de navios de guerra dos EUA e até Key West, na Florida."
According to the Axios report, based on classified US intelligence information, Havana would be considering using the drones against the US military base at Guantanamo Bay and other targets, including US military ships and possibly the state of Florida. In his X message, Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba "has the absolute and legitimate right to defend itself against a military offensive," a right that "cannot be used, logically or honestly, as an excuse to impose a war against the noble Cuban people." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Segundo a reportagem, baseada em informações de inteligência classificadas, Havana estaria avaliando utilizá-los contra uma base americana na Baía de Guantánamo, no extremo leste da ilha, e outros alvos."
"Cuba, que já sofre uma agressão multidimensional por parte dos EUA, tem o direito absoluto e legítimo de se defender contra uma ofensiva militar, um direito que não pode ser usado, lógica ou honestamente, como desculpa para impor uma guerra contra o nobre povo cubano"
Cuba's UN ambassador, Ernesto Soberón, told AFP in an interview that the hypothesis of a Cuban attack against the US "makes no sense" and accused Washington of "fabricating a pretext" to justify possible military action. The diplomat refused to answer questions about the existence of military drones, according to reports by CartaCapital and Jovem Pan. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Em entrevista à AFP em Nova York, o embaixador cubano na ONU, Ernesto Soberón, afirmou que a hipótese de um ataque de Cuba contra os Estados Unidos "não faz nenhum sentido" e acusou Washington de "fabricar um pretexto" para "justificar" uma eventual ação militar contra a ilha."
"O diplomata se recusou a responder perguntas sobre a existência de drones militares."
The statements occur in a context of maximum US pressure on Cuba. On Monday, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Cuba's main intelligence agency and nine Cuban citizens, including ministers and high-ranking Communist Party officials. Trump considers Cuba "an exceptional threat" to US national security and has already threatened to "take control" of the island, which is 150 kilometers from the Florida coast. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Washington intensificou nesta segunda-feira sua pressão sobre Havana ao anunciar sanções contra sua agência de inteligência e nove cidadãos cubanos, incluindo os ministros das Comunicações, Energia e Justiça."
"Trump considera que Cuba, situada a 150 quilômetros da costa da Flórida, representa "uma ameaça excepcional" para a segurança nacional dos Estados Unidos. O republicano lançou repetidas ameaças de "tomar o controle" de Cuba e chegou inclusive a sugerir o envio de um porta-aviões."
Díaz-Canel made the statement on May 18, 2026, one day after the Axios report on drone acquisition
US announced new sanctions against Cuban intelligence agency and government officials
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Cuba received fifth humanitarian aid shipment from Mexico since February
Trump government would be evaluating incriminating Raúl Castro as part of pressure against Cuba
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What is the exact nature of the drones acquired by Cuba and their specific military capabilities?
Why it's still unknown: Sources only cite classified US intelligence information, without technical details about the equipment
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What were the results of negotiations between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Cuban authorities in Havana?
Why it's still unknown: Reports mention the visit occurred but do not detail the content or results of the talks
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What are the historical precedents for 'bloodbath' threats made by Cuban leaders?
Why it's still unknown: Although the FactCard mentions similar statements by Fidel Castro during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, press sources do not make this historical connection