U.S. “National Emergency” Over Cuba? Let’s Break It Down  

Is Cuba really a threat to U.S. national security?

The U.S. recently escalated its pressure on Cuba when President Trump threatened tariffs on any country that provides the island with oil. He justified the blockade by declaring a “national emergency” over Cuba. But the facts tell a different story.

In this explainer, we break down Washington’s claims. The narrative that portrays Cuba as a threat leans on three main ideas: alleged Russian spy bases on the island, claims that Havana shelters groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and accusations that Cuba exports an authoritarian communist model across Latin America.

The arguments being put forth are misleading. Where does that leave the U.S.’ actions? Are they legal?

TRANSCRIPT

“President Trump declared a national emergency over supposed threats by Cuba. He issued an executive order aimed at stopping fuel supplies to the island,” says Liz Oliva Fernández.

“Are you kidding me? Are you trying to tell me that an island with fewer than 10 million people, with the most elderly population in Latin America, where a quarter of the citizens are over 60, and whose economy has been shrinking for the past five years, poses a threat to the United States?” add Oliva.

“I think it was established many, many years ago that Cuba does not represent a direct threat to the United States. There are some issues that we have to deal with bilaterally. But a national security threat, no,” said Fulton Armstrong, former U.S. intelligence official.

“It’s obvious that Cuba is not a threat to the national security of the U.S., but is actually the opposite. You can find out how and why in our earlier video, where we show how Cuba is really Washington’s biggest ally in countering drug trafficking.”

“But let’s play this game. What are the reasons behind the U.S. claiming it’s scared of Cuba?”

“Let’s start from the beginning.”

“Firstly, it says Cuba hosts Russia’s largest overseas intelligence base.”

“Cuba did host Russia’s largest overseas intelligence base, but back in the ’60s. The Lourdes base, south of Havana, no longer exists. In 2001, Russian President Vladimir Putin shut it down after the 9/11 attacks, as part of a policy of rapprochement with the United States. So this base was completely dismantled in 2002. Rumor has it they left nothing behind — they even took the plug sockets.”

“There’s now a university dedicated to software engineering where the military base once was.”

“Maybe they’ve confused Russia with China, because since the 2000s, media outlets and politicians in the United States have claimed China is spying on the U.S. from the municipality of Bejucal.”

“Here’s a good deal: Cuba kicks out this Chinese listening station in Bejucal,” said Marco Rubio, U.S. senator.

“Neither Marco Rubio nor any media outlet has presented evidence of a China spy base in Cuba. A year and a half ago, we went in search of this mysterious base, right where the White House said it was, and this is what we found.”

“Hello, excuse me. My name is Liz Oliva. I’m a journalist. I’m looking for the China military base around here.”

“That question makes no sense because I’ve never heard of a China base being here in Cuba,” said a local resident.

“No, I’ve never heard that. As far as I know, no. What we have is a base for people serving in the military.”

“And the military base is Chinese?”

“No.”

“Where is it from?”

“From here, Cuba,” the resident responded.

“A military unit, yes.”

“What have you seen there? Russian military, maybe?”

“No, no, it’s a military unit.”

“But from where?”

“From here, Cuba,” another local added.

“Dear Trump Administration, you’re talking about a Russian intelligence base in Cuba. Could you give us some clues, some evidence at least?”

“Of course, when it comes to security threats in Latin America, the Trump administration doesn’t seem interested in backing up its accusations with evidence.”

“We wanted to head out of Havana to see if we could find the Russian spy base. But because of the fuel scarcities caused by Trump’s oil blockade, we just can’t afford to go on another wild goose chase.”

“Reason number two.”

“According to the U.S., Cuba is a safe haven for members of Hamas and Hezbollah.”

“After looking everywhere for them, all we found were Palestinian medical students who wanted nothing to do with politics.”

“The vast majority of Palestinians in Cuba are medical students. There is no Hezbollah or Hamas here in Cuba,” said a Palestinian student in Cuba.

“Reason number three.”

“According to Trump, Cuba is a national security threat because it commits human rights violations.”

“There is something weird here. The U.S. government has historically backed every single dictatorship in Latin America. So, why would the U.S. want to overthrow Cuba?”

“The U.S. doesn’t seem to have any problem having close relations with Saudi Arabia or Egypt or El Salvador, let alone Israel, whose president is wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

“Israel was a big factor, and we’re with you, and we’ll continue to be with you, and a lot of good things are happening in the Middle East,” said President Donald Trump.

“And what did Trump do after Netanyahu’s indictment?”

“He imposed sanctions. Not on Netanyahu, but on the International Criminal Court.”

“On the other hand, they insist that Cuba sponsors terrorism. But three years ago, we went to the State Department press briefing and this is what they had to say about it.”

“Good morning everybody.”

“What evidence is there that Cuba sponsors terrorism?”

“Well, the regime has a long track record of egregious human rights abuses, suppression of a free press, suppression of civil society, and other key factors that continue to keep them on that list,” said a U.S. State Department spokesperson.

“But you can give me examples of terrorism, because those are human rights abuses?”

“For Cubans, the designation is hypocritical.”

“Cuba does not sponsor any terrorism, anywhere. We are not terrorists. On the contrary, we have faced terrorist attacks, mostly from the U.S. The bombs they have dropped, the attacks they have done here in Cuba, outside of Cuba, at embassies — it’s the U.S. who has sponsored terrorism,” said a Cuban official.

“The justifications the Trump administration has put forward are misleading. Then where does that leave its actions? Are they legal?”

“Certainly not. But one thing that is important: violating international law does not change international law. It only creates a precedent of impunity,” said Alfred de Zayas, international law expert.

“Indeed. So how does the United States get away with these unilateral coercive measures?”

“Do you see any checks on your power on the world stage?”

“I don’t need international law. There’s one thing: my own morality, my own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me,” said President Donald Trump.

“So who’s the real threat to the region here?”

“They need to understand that destabilizing a country just 90 miles from the United States would ultimately create a problem for them. But it seems to me that the ones who should be most concerned about what happens in Cuba is the U.S. government,” said a Cuban official.

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