US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to the Guantanamo Bay naval base, warned Cuba against acquiring weapons that could threaten the American homeland. He stated that such moves would 'invite a confrontation' Cuba could not withstand, claiming no country can match US military capabilities.

Guantanamo Bay, located near Cuba's southern tip, is the only US base held under an indefinite lease against the host government's wishes. Since January, the US has blocked energy shipments to Cuba, causing widespread blackouts and transport paralysis, adding to the decades-long trade embargo.

Hegseth said Cuba's future depends on the US president and Cuban leadership. His remarks follow reports by Axios that Cuba allegedly acquired hundreds of attack drones from Russia and Iran, based on classified intelligence.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez dismissed the reports as 'slander' and 'leaked insinuations,' asserting Cuba's right to legitimate self-defense against external aggression. President Miguel Diaz-Canel warned that US threats could trigger a 'bloodbath with incalculable consequences' for regional peace.

Source: www.dw.com