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The analyst Andy S. Gómez, chief expert on Cuban affairs at Local 10 News (WPLG) in South Florida, warned that the drones acquired by the Cuban regime could pose an offensive threat to the United States if Washington attempted to capture Raúl Castro to bring him to justice.
Gómez, who has direct contact with regime officials, revealed to Local 10 News that they personally confirmed the existence of drones to him: "Recently, they confirmed to me that they have drones for defensive purposes and wanted to be very clear about it."
However, the analyst warned that this distinction could vanish in the event of a U.S. military operation: "If we were to capture Raúl Castro, I'm afraid those defensive drones would become offensive and target the United States."
The warning comes days after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reaffirmed that the federal charges against Castro are not symbolic: "We didn't do this for a symbolic indictment... we will do everything possible to bring him here."
The indictment, approved by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida on April 23 and declassified on May 20 at the Freedom Tower in Miami, includes charges of conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens and four counts of murder for the deaths of Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos Costa, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, who were shot down in 1996 by Cuban military jets.
The arms background is equally concerning. According to a report from Axios on May 17, Cuba has allegedly acquired more than 300 military attack drones from Russia and Iran since 2023, stored in strategic locations throughout the island.
Intelligence sources cited by that outlet indicated that Cuban officials allegedly discussed plans to use these drones against the Guantanamo naval base, U.S. military ships, and possibly Key West, Florida.
The regime did not deny the existence of the drones. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Josefina Vidal Ferreiro stated on PBS: “We have always favored dialogue with the United States... it would be naive of us not to be ready to defend ourselves in case of an aggression. Cuba will defend itself.”
The United States, for its part, has intensified its military presence in the region. The Southern Command established the new Autonomous Warfare Command and showcased it during the FLEX 2026 exercise in Key West with autonomous, semi-autonomous, and unmanned systems. The strike group of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz entered the Caribbean on May 20.
Gómez interpreted these movements unequivocally: "It is a message to Cuba, more than anything else."
Regarding the Guantánamo base, the analyst acknowledged the vulnerability but expressed confidence in the military response: "The base in Guantánamo is very close to where they can be struck, that is a possibility, but I am completely confident that our military capability will be able to intercept these drones from Key West northward."
The escalation of U.S. spy flights near Cuba —at least 25 missions since February 2026— and the visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Havana on May 15 complete a picture of sustained pressure that the Cuban regime has responded to by declaring 2026 as the "Year of Defense Preparation," with civil military exercises every Saturday that include rifles, drones, and anti-tank mines.
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