The Cuban government has accused the United States of fabricating allegations against Havana as a pretext for possible military aggression, following reports of heightened U.S. concern over Cuba’s alleged drone capabilities and expanding ties with Russia and Iran.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said Washington was “manufacturing a fraudulent case” against Cuba in an effort to justify tighter sanctions and increased political pressure on the Caribbean nation.
The remarks followed recent American media reports suggesting that U.S. intelligence agencies were assessing what they described as an emerging security concern linked to Cuba’s acquisition and development of military drone technology.
According to the reports, U.S. officials are also wary of what they perceive as deepening military cooperation between Havana and countries considered strategic rivals of Washington, including Russia and Iran.
Cuban authorities dismissed the allegations, insisting they were politically motivated and part of a longstanding campaign to isolate the island nation.
The latest exchange marks a further deterioration in already strained relations between the United States and Cuba, amid worsening economic conditions on the island and renewed geopolitical tensions involving major global powers.
Analysts note that relations have deteriorated in recent months following tighter U.S. sanctions, severe fuel shortages in Cuba and increasing diplomatic friction.
The Cuban government has consistently blamed Washington’s decades-long embargo and restrictive economic measures for the country’s hardship, while the United States maintains that its policy is aimed at promoting democratic reforms and human rights protections.
The current dispute was triggered by reports alleging that Cuba may have expanded its drone programme with external assistance, raising U.S. security concerns over potential threats near sensitive installations, including the Guantanamo Bay naval base.
Havana has strongly denied any hostile intent, describing the claims as exaggerated and intended to justify additional punitive measures.
Observers say the latest war of words reflects deepening geopolitical polarization, as global alignments increasingly harden between Western powers and states aligned with Russia and China.
