Foreign Affairs

Cuba’s Military Posturing Under Díaz-Canel: A Risky Gamble Driven by Washington’s Pressure

By National Security Desk | January 25, 2026

Cuba’s President Díaz-Canel escalates military exercises amid heightened tensions with the U.S., reflecting Havana’s combative stance that endangers regional stability and tests American resolve.

As Miguel Díaz-Canel leads a series of military drills in Cuba, it's clear this is more than mere posturing; it is a calculated response to mounting pressure from the United States. With tensions rising after the U.S. operation in Caracas that toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Havana doubles down on its militarization, signaling a troubling refusal to acknowledge the consequences of reckless antagonism. Why Does Cuba Insist on Military Provocation When Stability Could Serve Its People Better? The Cuban president personally oversaw tactical exercises involving tank units and anti-air defenses while delivering stark warnings of an ongoing "hegemonic offensive" by...

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