# US-Cuba diplomatic and military tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-cuba-diplomatic-and-military-tensions
> Updated: 2026-09-27T20:45:51.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

Tensions between the United States and Cuba have escalated following U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and rhetoric regarding the status of the Cuban state.

Cuban officials have accused the United States of attempting to militarize the region under the pretext of combating drug trafficking. During the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez claimed Washington is using strategic corollaries and economic pressure to implement a new version of the Monroe Doctrine. This follows reports from UN special rapporteur Ben Saul, who criticized U.S. military raids against suspected narco-vessels, characterizing them as “serial extrajudicial executions in violation of the right to life” that may constitute “crimes against humanity of murder.”

Diplomatic friction intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump characterized Cuba as a “failing state” and suggested that “freedom will be coming” to the island. In response, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio warned that potential U.S. military action would constitute an “atrocious international crime.” Speaking to C-SPAN, Fernandez de Cossio rejected the “failing state” characterization, asserting that Cuba is a “peaceful neighbor.”

He further argued that U.S. economic policies—including the disruption of commercial shipments and the withholding of fuel, healthcare, and food supplies—are “equivalent to a genocide.” He noted these measures have been in place for nine months, causing severe impacts on national infrastructure, fuel scarcity, and power outages. Following the exchange at the UN General Assembly, the Cuban delegation exited the hall.

## Claims

- US military action against Cuba would constitute an atrocious international crime. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- US economic coercion, including disrupting shipments and withholding fuel, is equivalent to genocide. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- President Donald Trump stated at the UN General Assembly that freedom will be coming to Cuba. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- President Donald Trump described Cuba as a failing state. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The US has maintained a policy of maximum economic pressure against Cuba for over 60 years. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The US administration enforced an additional oil and fuel blockade against Cuba earlier this year. (corroborated by 11 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Cuba warns US military action would be an ‘atrocious international crime’

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister warns that US military action would be an ‘atrocious international crime’ and labels current US economic sanctions as ‘equivalent to a genocide’.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuba-warns-us-military-action-would-be-an-atrocious-international-crime

### 2026-09-22: US military actions in Caribbean face UN and Cuban condemnation

Cuba and UN experts have denounced U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, citing potential crimes against humanity and the militarization of Latin America under a new Monroe Doctrine.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-actions-in-caribbean-face-un-and-cuban-condemnation

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Cite as: US-Cuba diplomatic and military tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-cuba-diplomatic-and-military-tensions