US Defense Secretary Hegseth warns Cuba during Guantanamo base visit

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the Cuban government during a visit to the Guantanamo Bay military base, saying the U.S. military is prepared and positioned for any emergency and that the future of relations between Washington and Havana depends on decisions by Cuba's leadership and the U.S. president. Hegseth urged Cuba to avoid efforts to acquire weapons that could target U.S. territory or the Guantanamo base, arguing that such a step would lead to a conflict Cuba could not afford. He also said he expected significant developments in Venezuela in the near term and described the current government there as open to cooperation on counter-narcotics efforts. His remarks come as the Trump administration has increased economic sanctions and pressure on the island in recent months, with signs that Washington is tightening its encirclement of Cuba. Tensions between the two countries have continued to rise. Cuba's ambassador to the United States, Lyanis Torres Rivera, accused the Trump administration of using the economic blockade to target civilians. She claimed that measures against Cuba's leadership are intended to prepare the U.S. public for a possible military intervention.