Iranian drone display in Coral Gables raises concerns about Cuba’s military ties

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — An Iranian military drone displayed Wednesday in Coral Gables prompted warnings from lawmakers and national security experts who said Iran’s growing relationship with Cuba could pose a threat to the United States, though one analyst said he does not believe an attack from the island is likely.

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The drone was displayed at the Biltmore Hotel by the bipartisan policy group United Against Nuclear Iran, chaired by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

The organization said the exhibit was intended to highlight concerns over reports that Iranian drones and weapons systems have been based in Cuba.

Mark Wallace, the nonprofit’s CEO and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for Management and Reform, said modern weapons systems have changed the security landscape.

“Weapons systems have changed, and there is a weapons system 90 miles off the coast of Florida now with a hostile regime that is aligned with the most hostile regime that can target the United States of America,” Wallace said. “There has to be a policy to defeat the ability to build these, to shoot them down, and make sure there are not hostile forces in governments in our region that would align themselves with Iran.”

Wallace also said the U.S. “must ensure that Iran do not have the reach to come into the Straits of Florida like they are impacting the Strait of Hormuz.”

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said Iran manufactures the drones “by the thousands.”

“This is what we are talking about when we are talking about Iranian drones,” Gimenez said. “This has a range of about 2,500 kilometers, which from Cuba can reach all the way to New York.”

He also warned that the drones’ capabilities are advancing rapidly “especially with the advent of artificial intelligence.”

When describing the aircraft as an offensive weapon, Gimenez said, “It is meant to strike targets. So, this is an offensive weapon, and if Cuba has in fact have 300 of these, it is a threat to the United States, period.”

Bush said the proliferation of Iranian drone technology represents a growing global concern.

“This is a new threat to the world,” he said. “We are seeing it play out in the Middle East. We also see this technology being developed by Iran in Russia to be able to send thousands of drones into Ukraine.”

Bush added that reports of roughly 300 Iranian drones in Cuba, “is a risk we should be concerned about.”

“We do have the capability of protecting the homeland, but Cuba still continues to be a risk to our country, and Iran is their ally,” he said.

Wallace said Iran’s relationship with Cuba has been longstanding and strategic.

“The relationship between Iran and Cuba is real,” Wallace said, adding that “Miami, Florida, is well within range of Iranian drones in cooperation with the Cuban regime.”

He said Iran’s involvement in Cuba and Venezuela is tied to their proximity to the United States.

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“I think what you are seeing is Iran’s engagement in Cuba, historically, Venezuela as well, is completely related to the proximity to the United States of America, Florida, and particularly the CentCom (Central Command) bases in the region,” Wallace said.

Local 10 Cuban analyst Dr. Andy Gomez said Cuba’s status as a failed state presents broader national security concerns.

“I think Secretary (Marco) Rubio put it best, with or without drones, a failed state 90 miles to the south of the United States is a national security threat to our country,” he said.

Still, Gomez said he believes a drone attack launched from Cuba is possible but unlikely.

“That is the new warfare that the world is facing, and we need to be aware of it to a great extent,” Gomez added. “But I’m not that worried, at this moment, about Cuba firing a drone at the United States because what would come after, to them, would be chaos.”

He noted that Cuba has maintained its drones are intended only for defensive purposes.

“That means, to me, that Cuba expects that the United States to attack them, and we are not going to attack them,” Gomez said. “We are not going to invade them any time soon.”

Gimenez also reiterated his support for continuing economic and political pressure on Cuba rather than military intervention.

“My position has been that we need to continue the pressure on the Cuban regime,” Gimenez said. “Every day they get weaker and weaker and weaker.”

He added that he hopes the Cuban government eventually chooses “to transition Cuba.”

“My position has been and will be that I am not in favor of a military option right now, but we should continue maximum pressure on the regime,” he said.

Gomez agreed.

“I think Carlos is correct,” Gomez said. “I don’t see the need, if you will, for a military intervention in Cuba.”

He said Cuba’s military has weakened over time because much of its equipment is outdated and its armed forces have been depleted.

“I do believe, and I am going to say this for the first time, and I am speculating, all signs that I am beginning to see from inside Cuba, there could be an implosion from within,” Gomez added.

Gomez added he will also be watching developments this Saturday, the fifth anniversary of historic anti-government protests in Cuba.

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