Cuba Denies Drug Trafficking Links Amid U.S. Accusations

Cuban officials have firmly denied any links to drug trafficking, responding to accusations from Venezuelan authorities, particularly a letter from former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal. Carvajal claimed that in the mid-2000s, Cuba orchestrated a strategy to send drugs to the U.S. for political leverage.

However, Colonel Juan Carlos Poey from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior stated that Cuba is a victim of drug trafficking attempts, with most narcotics entering the island from the United States. He emphasized that since 2016, Cuba has sent over 1,500 alerts to the U.S.

Coast Guard regarding drug trafficking, yet has received only 468 responses. The cooperation agreement established under the Obama administration has been ineffective since the Trump administration took over, leading to a significant decrease in formal engagements.

Despite the U.S. military's increased presence in the Caribbean, Cuban officials maintain that there has not been a notable change in drug activity around the island. Cuba's approach, described by Colonel Ybey Carballo as proactive, is aimed at ensuring regional security and contributing to U.S. safety, as many boats are headed towards the U.S.

According to Poey, Cuba's geographic position makes it vulnerable to drug trafficking but insists that it is not a production or transit country. The Cuban government has launched a national campaign to combat drug use, especially synthetic drugs among youth, and maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, with penalties reaching up to 30 years in prison for serious offenses.

Officials argue that the U.S. military presence, justified as anti-drug operations, poses a threat to Cuba's sovereignty and security, amidst a broader geopolitical context involving Venezuela and U.S.-Cuba relations.