# US-Cuba military and economic pressure intensifies > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/xi-jinping-cautions-the-united-states-that-mishandling-taiwan-could-lead-to-conflict > Updated: 2026-08-13T08:37:08.000Z. Sources: 120. Developments: 12. U.S. military and diplomatic pressure on Cuba has escalated significantly. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to send an aircraft carrier to ‘take’ the island, suggesting a potential ‘friendly takeover’ or a rapid raid. In May 2026, the U.S. announced criminal charges against former leader Raúl Castro while the Navy positioned the USS Nimitz in the Caribbean. Tensions with global powers have risen, with China and Russia pledging to defend Cuba with ‘all their military force.’ Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reaffirmed that all options, including military intervention, remain on the table. Speaking from Panama, Hegseth warned the Cuban government to heed Washington’s strategic prerogatives, asserting that the U.S. will not tolerate ‘malign influence’ from actors such as Russia, China, or Iran in the hemisphere. Washington is simultaneously employing unprecedented economic pressure. The U.S. Treasury has imposed new sanctions on high-ranking officials, including Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has denounced these measures as an ‘act of war’ and a policy of ‘maximum pressure and economic asphyxiation’ intended to provoke social unrest. He specifically highlighted over $4 billion in fines imposed by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on third-party entities for alleged blockade violations. Regional dynamics are shifting in support of U.S. policy. Colombia’s new government under Abelardo de la Espriella has authorized U.S. troops to conduct joint military operations against narcoterrorism and will join the Escudo de las Américas coalition. Additionally, the Dominican Republic has ordered nine Cuban diplomats to leave the country. ## Claims - Colombia has joined the Americas Coalition Against Cartels (A3C) as its 19th member. (disputed by 5 sources) - Colombia will join the Escudo de las Américas coalition. (disputed) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that all options, including military intervention, remain on the table regarding Cuba. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Hegseth advised the Cuban government to heed President Donald Trump's determination to assert U.S. strategic prerogatives. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Hegseth claimed that the approach of Russia, Cuba, Iran, and Venezuela toward the U.S. and the A3C coalition shows they recognize the regional balance of power. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Hegseth asserted that no other country can match the military capacity of the United States. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez characterized the U.S. blockade as an ‘act of war’ that is suffocating the Cuban people. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The U.S. Treasury Department imposed a new package of sanctions against Miguel Díaz-Canel, Raúl Castro, and other Cuban officials. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed over $4 billion in fines on third-party entities for alleged violations of the Cuban blockade. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Hegseth emphasized the strategic importance of the Panama Canal and stated the U.S. will not allow it to be used as a threat. (corroborated by 3 sources) - U.S. troops have conducted military training exercises in Panama. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Colombian government under Abelardo de la Espriella has authorized U.S. troops to operate on Colombian soil. (single source) - The Dominican Republic ordered nine Cuban diplomats to leave the country. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: U.S. Defense Secretary warns military options for Cuba remain on the table U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns that military options against Cuba remain on the table while Washington intensifies economic sanctions and expands military cooperation with Colombia. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-defense-secretary-hegseth-threatens-military-options-for-cuba ### 2026-07-17: US weighs military options against Cuba over alleged drone shipments The Pentagon reviewed massive air‑strike plans against Cuba over alleged Iranian drone deliveries, a move President Trump signaled could happen; experts see the claim as a possible pretext amid Cuba's economic, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-weighs-military-options-against-cuba-over-alleged-drone-shipments ### 2026-07-15: U.S. Pentagon evaluates air‑assault plan against Cuba Pentagon planners have studied a possible Cuban air‑assault using the 101st Airborne, but no decision has been made and focus remains on diplomacy and sanctions. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-military-studies-airassault-scenario-against-cuba ### 2026-07-02: Donald Trump hints at possible change in US Cuba policy Donald Trump said at the Theodore Roosevelt Library opening that Cuba is “coming toward us,” hinting at a shift in U.S. policy but providing no specifics. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-hints-at-possible-change-in-us-cuba-policy ### 2026-06-22: Donald Trump Speculation on Future US Military Targets Satirical opinion pieces speculate on possible US attacks by President Trump, mentioning Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and others, but cite no actual policy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-speculation-on-future-us-military-targets ### 2026-06-21: Donald Trump Threatens U.S. Military Action Against Cuba, Citing Venezuela Raid President Donald Trump said a U.S. operation in Cuba could mirror the raid that captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, while ex‑intelligence officials warned any invasion would be a lost war. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-threatens-us-military-action-against-cuba-citing-venezuela-raid ### 2026-06-20: Donald Trump hints at possible US military action against Cuba President Donald Trump suggested a possible US military action against Cuba, noting its lack of oil, attractive property, and close proximity, while keeping options open but no immediate plan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-hints-at-possible-us-military-action-against-cuba ### 2026-06-19: Donald Trump says US could launch a Venezuela‑style operation against Cuba Trump said a U.S. operation in Cuba, similar to the Venezuela raid, is possible; Cuban FM Bruno Rodríguez condemned the U.S. blockade and claimed Washington lacks authority. 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-hints-at-possible-us-military-operation-against-cuba ### 2026-06-11: Trump's Threat to Cuba Raises US‑China‑Russia Tensions Trump threatened to take control of Cuba with naval deployment; Cuba's leader rejected the move and China and Russia warned they would defend the island, raising regional security risks. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trumps-threat-to-cuba-raises-uschinarussia-tensions ### 2026-05-21: Trump threatens military action against Cuba while backing a candidate in Kentucky GOP primary Trump warned of possible military action in Cuba after charges against Raúl Castro, while supporting a Kentucky GOP primary challenger against anti‑Trump incumbent Thomas Massie. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-threatens-military-action-against-cuba-while-backing-a-candidate-in-kentucky-gop-primary ### 2026-05-17: U.S. President threatens carrier strike on Cuba, raising conflict concerns Trump vows a carrier strike on Cuba, sparking fears of a new conflict. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-president-threatens-carrier-strike-on-cuba-raising-conflict-concerns ### 2026-05-13: Donald Trump touts friendship with Xi and threatens Caribbean action, raising US‑China‑Cuba tensions Trump claims close bond with Xi, hints at trade deals, and warns of carrier deployment to Cuba, heightening US‑China‑Cuba tensions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-touts-friendship-with-xi-and-threatens-caribbean-action-raising-uschinacuba-tensions --- Cite as: US-Cuba military and economic pressure intensifies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/xi-jinping-cautions-the-united-states-that-mishandling-taiwan-could-lead-to-conflict