US raises threat of military action against Cuba | Conflict News
Cuba Considered a National Security Threat, Says Secretary of State Rubio
May 22, 2026
The United States government has ramped up its rhetoric regarding Cuba, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterizing the island as a national security threat due to its relationships with adversarial nations, including Russia and China. This assertion aligns with comments from President Donald Trump, who indicated he may be the president to take decisive military action against Cuba.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Rubio stressed that Cuba has long posed risks to U.S. security interests. He pointed to the Trump administration’s efforts to apply increased pressure on the Cuban government, which have included sanctions and a fuel blockade that is reportedly pushing the Cuban economy closer to collapse.
The administration’s stance has intensified recently, highlighted by the indictment of Cuba’s former President Raul Castro and the mobilization of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean. Rubio denounced any notion of “nation building,” framing the U.S. approach instead as a matter of national security. He stated that while the U.S. still prefers a diplomatic solution, the prospects for negotiations with Cuba are limited.
“Their economic system doesn’t work. It’s broken, and you can’t fix it with the current political system that’s in place,” Rubio remarked. He added that Cuba has historically managed to “buy time” in its dealings with the United States, a tactic he believes will no longer be effective.
Trump also addressed the issue, indicating that previous presidents have contemplated intervention in Cuba but suggested that he might follow through on such plans, expressing a willingness to take action.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez responded sharply to Rubio’s statements, accusing him of misrepresenting Cuba and inciting potential military aggression. “The U.S. Secretary of State lies once again to instigate a military aggression that would provoke the shedding of Cuban and American blood,” Rodriguez stated.
Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have escalated since Trump’s return to office, marked by further sanctions, the enforcement of a fuel blockade, and increased military presence in the region. The indictment of Raul Castro occurred on Wednesday, connected to a long-standing case involving the downing of a plane in 1996.
In a related development, Adys Lastres Morera—sister of an executive linked to the military-controlled Grupo de Administracion Empresarial SA—was arrested on Thursday. These developments come amid heightened scrutiny of the Cuban government, as the U.S. has implemented additional sanctions in the past week and announced a military buildup in the Caribbean region.
Fabio Nunez, a Cuba expert, noted that this current U.S. strategy appears to echo the approach used in Venezuela. The Trump administration’s earlier military operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has drawn significant attention, leading to concerns about potential similarities in the U.S. strategy toward Cuba.
In defense of its ally, China criticized U.S. actions, calling for de-escalation and an end to perceived threats of military force. Similarly, the Kremlin condemned the U.S. pressure campaign, highlighting concerns over the use of aggressive measures against Cuba.
