The United States Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, confirmed this Tuesday before Congress that the Cuban regime poses a threat to U.S. national security.
In response to the questioning by Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart during a hearing of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Hegseth confirmed the information that led President Donald Trump to sign an executive order at the end of January declaring a national emergency, considering that the policies and actions of the Cuban regime represent “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of his country.
The audience, which began at 8 a.m. Eastern Time and also included the presence of General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was focused on the review of the military budget for 2027 and the war with Iran.
However, Díaz-Balart took his turn to shift the focus to Cuba and listed, one by one, the reasons why the regime in Havana poses a direct threat to the United States.
The congressman asked Hegseth if he was aware that Cuba hosts terrorists and fugitives from U.S. justice. "Yes. I agree," the secretary responded.
Díaz-Balart also asked him if it was true that the Cuban Air Force shot down two American civilian planes in international airspace, killing American citizens. "I don't remember the exact year, but I believe that was the case," Hegseth replied, referring to the downing of the Brothers to the Rescue planes on February 24, 1996, when Cuban MiG fighters shot down two Cessna 337 aircraft in international waters, killing four people.
Regarding the use of Cuban ports by the Russian navy, including the nuclear submarine Kazán, Hegseth was categorical: "That is true, congressman."
When questioned about the Russian signals intelligence complex in Lourdes, Cuba, the secretary admitted that “for a long time we have been concerned that a foreign adversary would use such a location so close to our shores, which is quite problematic.”
When Díaz-Balart asked if China also operates from Cuba, Hegseth dodged confirming classified information, but he was clear: "We do not want foreign adversaries trying to use that."
The congressman also pointed out that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, thousands of Cubans are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Hegseth stated that he was not aware of that specific information, although he confirmed knowing about the presence of Cuban personnel in Venezuela: "I am very aware that Cubans have been all over the world, even trying to defend Maduro in Venezuela. It's something they have done for a long time."
Ukrainian intelligence estimates suggest that up to 25,000 Cubans may have joined the Russian army, while a diplomatic cable from the State Department in October 2025 indicated that between 1,000 and 5,000 were actively fighting. At least 93 Cubans have died in combat according to the Ukrainian project "I Want to Live."
In response to the question of whether Cuba has been designated as one of the most advanced espionage operations against the United States —highlighted by intelligence during the Obama, Biden, and Trump administrations— Hegseth replied: "That all sounds very accurate, sir."
Finally, Díaz-Balart asked the direct question: «Do you believe that the Cuban regime represents a threat to the national security of the United States?». Hegseth's response was decisive: «Yes».
The congressman shared the exchange on his social media and emphasized that "past administrations have ignored the threat, but the Trump administration is taking it seriously."
Trump restored Cuba to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on January 20, 2025, just hours after taking office for his second term, and in May 2025, the Department of State under Marco Rubio reincorporated Cuba to the list of countries that do not cooperate with anti-terrorism efforts.
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