CBS News: Pentagon considers attacking Cuba with thousands of troops

 CBS News revealed that in recent weeks, the U.S. War Department has been studying possible military scenarios for dealing with Cuba, including carrying out a large-scale air offensive involving thousands of soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, a unit that specializes in rapid operations behind the lines.

US officials stressed that these discussions do not mean the issuance of a political decision to carry out military action, but rather are part of the routine planning that the Pentagon conducts on an ongoing basis, according to the network, which reiterated that these scenarios remain within the framework of the theoretical assessment, especially in light of the US military's preoccupation with the ongoing operations in the Middle East after the resumption of the war with Iran, and the consequent redeployment of aircraft and intelligence capabilities to support operations there.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the Trump administration still prefers to bring about political change in Cuba through diplomatic and economic pressure, noting that Washington had hoped for a transfer of power to a technocratic government that implements economic reforms, but this path has not achieved the desired results.

The administration has tightened sanctions on the Cuban military and its Gaisa economic group, and expanded restrictions to include official institutions that it says fund security services and paramilitaries accused of suppressing protests, he said.

Trump is angry with his defense secretary

 CBS News noted that the U.S. military has held internal briefings in recent weeks to discuss initial operational options, including assessing potential military objectives, the size of troops required, logistical needs and the level of risk, a procedure that is part of the usual planning mechanisms within the War Department.

The report also spoke of disagreements within the Trump administration over the conduct of the war with Iran, with sources citing that the president expressed his displeasure with some of the military assessments made by Secretary of War Pete Hegsey and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Keane, considering that the chances of avoiding war were greater before negotiations with Tehran collapsed.

But White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly denied that there were fundamental differences, stressing that Trump trusts the leadership of the War Department and that recent operations have proven the ability of the United States to deliver effective strikes against Iranian capabilities.

Washington: Cuba Acquired 300 Drones

 Cuba has become a growing security challenge for Washington after it received attack drones from an undisclosed source, according to intelligence reports, raising concerns within the Pentagon.

Axios revealed that US officials are studying the possibility that Cuba will acquire more than 300 military drones, and the possibility of using them to launch possible attacks against US targets.

According to a report published by the website on Sunday, May 17, one of the officials said, "These technologies have become very close to us, and with the involvement of multiple malicious actors, from terrorist groups and drug cartels, to Iranians and Russians, the situation is worrisome."

U.S. officials believe that since 2023, Cuba has been acquiring attack drones with various capabilities from Russia and Iran, and deploying them in strategic locations within the island.

A senior U.S. official claimed that Cuba last month requested more drones and military equipment from Russia, and that Iran was seeking to train it to strengthen its defense and offensive capabilities.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegsey said during a congressional hearing, referring to Cuba: "We have long been concerned that a foreign adversary would use a site too close to our shores, because that is a very serious problem."

US $100 million letter

In a video message Wednesday (May 20) to the Cuban people, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid out a vision he said represented an "opportunity for a new relationship" between the United States and Cuba, proposing $100 million in aid, while at the same time blaming the Havana leadership for severe shortages of electricity, food and fuel inside the country.

 In his video message from the State Department's headquarters, on the occasion of Cuba's Independence Day, Rubio said that Washington is "offering your assistance not only to alleviate the current crisis, but also to build a better future," adding that "the real reason for the lack of electricity, fuel and food is that those who control your country have looted billions of dollars, and nothing has been used to help the people."

Rubio said the United States is willing to provide $100 million in food and medicine to the Cuban people, provided it is distributed through the Catholic Church or "credible" independent charities, in a move aimed at bypassing the Cuban government, which Washington accuses of mismanaging and monopolizing resources.

The Cuban embassy in the United States responded with a strongly worded statement, accusing Rubio of "repeated lies," saying Washington was "subjecting the island nation to cruelty."

"The reason why the U.S. Secretary of State repeatedly and unconscionably lies when referring to Cuba and trying to justify his aggression against the Cuban people is not ignorance or incompetence," the embassy said in a post on the X platform. He knows very well that there is no excuse for such cruel and brutal aggression."

Washington Treats Castro 's Grandson

  CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to the Cuban capital Havana on Thursday (May 14), during which he met with senior officials, including Raul Castro's grandson and Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez.

Sources said that the visit carried a direct message from the Trump administration headlined "Radical changes in exchange for the easing of the economic embargo," explaining that Ratcliffe put forward strict US conditions during the talks, including the immediate release of political detainees, the establishment of a timetable for free elections under international supervision, in addition to the dismantling of security alliances with Russia, China and Venezuela, and the closure of any "espionage" facilities belonging to these countries inside the island.

The CIA director confirmed that the US reward is to lift the energy embargo imposed for 2026 and allow the flow of oil and humanitarian aid worth $100 million, if Havana complies with US conditions, according to the sources.

The debate comes amid President Donald Trump's administration's policy of maximum pressure toward Cuba, with the aim of pushing it toward broad political change.

Washington asserts that the Cuban regime, which has been led by communists since Raúl Castro's revolution in 1959, refuses to implement substantive economic and political reforms, while Havana accuses the United States of being the main cause of the economic crisis through ongoing sanctions and a decades-old blockade.