Recent intelligence reports indicate that Cuba has acquired a stockpile of over 300 military drones, primarily sourced from Russia and Iran, raising concerns about potential security threats to the United States [1]. The intelligence, first reported by Axios in May 2026, indicates that Cuban military officials have discussed plans to potentially use these drones to target U.S. interests, including the naval base at Guantanamo Bay and locations in Florida, such as Key West [1].
Hamlet Yousef, Managing Partner at IronGate Capital Advisors and Strategic Partner at Tower Strategy, highlighted the issue on LinkedIn, referencing coverage by the Miami Herald and the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) [2] [3]. Yousef, a former U.S. government official with experience in national security and diplomacy, noted that Iranian drone platforms similar to those deployed in the Middle East could place the Southeastern United States within striking range if launched from Cuba [2].
Iranian Drone Proliferation
The Iranian Shahed-136, a one-way attack drone, has become a central component of Tehran’s military strategy and has been exported to various conflict zones [4]. UANI Chairman and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, along with UANI CEO and former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mark D. Wallace, published an op-ed in the Miami Herald on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the strategic implications of Iran establishing a drone and intelligence presence 90 miles from U.S. shores [4] [5].
Bush and Wallace drew parallels to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, noting that Cuba has acquired attack drones of “varying capabilities” from Russia and Iran since 2023, and has stashed them in strategic locations across the island [1]. The op-ed also pointed to a growing economic relationship between Tehran and Havana, including formal trade delegations and government-to-government agreements across sectors including infrastructure, transportation, energy, and industrial manufacturing [4].
To raise awareness, UANI planned to publicly display an Iranian Shahed-136 drone recovered from a battlefield at an event held at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, on July 8, 2026 [6]. This followed prior UANI drone exhibitions in Washington D.C., New York, London, and Munich [6].
U.S. Government Response
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba on May 14, 2026, and warned Cuban officials against engaging in hostilities, according to Axios [1]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed concerns about foreign adversaries using Cuba as a base close to U.S. shores during a congressional hearing [1]. Cuba’s embassy issued a statement asserting Cuba’s right to self-defense under international law but did not deny possession of attack drones [1].
U.S. officials stated they do not believe Cuba poses an imminent threat or is actively planning to attack American interests, but characterized the proximity of the drone stockpile and the presence of foreign adversaries’ intelligence facilities on the island as “highly problematic” [1].
Regional Context
The proliferation of Iranian drone technology in Latin America extends beyond Cuba. Previous reports have documented that Venezuela, under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro, developed a drone program with Iranian assistance, including the production of Shahed-style systems [7]. Maduro was captured by U.S. forces during a military intervention in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, in an operation dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve” [8]. U.S. officials stated that following Maduro’s ouster, the U.S. learned more about Cuba’s drone program [1].
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) noted that the Cuban drone threat underscores the consequences of Havana’s alignment with China, Russia, and Iran, and that the presence of adversary intelligence facilities on the island remains a priority concern for the Trump administration [9].
References
Axios. (2026, May 17). Exclusive: U.S. eyes attack-drone threat from Cuba. https://www.axios.com/2026/05/17/us-military-drones-cuba
Bush, J., & Wallace, M. D. (2026, July 1). Cuban drone crisis: Iranian technology may pose security threat in Miami’s backyard. Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article316351211.html
Foundation for Defense of Democracies. (2026, May 18). Reported U.S. intelligence notes threat from Cuba’s Russian and Iranian drone stockpile. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/05/18/reported-u-s-intelligence-notes-threat-from-cubas-russian-and-iranian-drone-stockpile/
Irregular Warfare Initiative. (n.d.). Hamlet Yousef. https://www.irregularwarfare.org/hamlet-yousef/
Tower Strategy. (n.d.). Hamlet Yousef bio. https://www.towerstrategydc.com/hamlet-yousef-bio
United Against Nuclear Iran. (2026, June 24). UANI to showcase Iranian regime Shahed-136 drone in Florida. https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/press-releases/uani-to-showcase-iranian-regime-shahed-136-drone-florida
United Against Nuclear Iran. (n.d.). Leadership & staff. https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/about/leadership
Washington Institute for Near East Policy. (2022, November 17). Iran may be outsourcing kamikaze drone production to Venezuela. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/iran-may-be-outsourcing-kamikaze-drone-production-venezuela
Wikipedia. (2026). 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_intervention_in_Venezuela
Yousef, H. (2026, July 8). [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hamlet-yousef-3488652_this-is-excellent-coverage-miami-herald-and-share-7480587010131509248-7Zx5/
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