In a powerful interview with Telemundo 51, Brigadier General Arthur J. Garffer Jr., who serves as the Secretary of Public Safety for Puerto Rico and is an officer in the Puerto Rico National Guard, issued stark warnings to Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime. The interview took place at Roosevelt Roads Air Base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
Garffer was unequivocal in his statements.
"Based on what we are witnessing publicly, it is clear to me that the end of the Castro-Díaz-Canel communist dictatorship and its cronies is approaching," he declared.
He emphasized the urgency, stating, "The military awaits the order," and added, "Cuba has been warned. The country's liberation is imminent."
Exile Options: A Strategic Offer
Garffer outlined the "voluntary exits" that the Trump administration had reportedly proposed. "They have been given multiple opportunities to relocate to Russia, China, or North Korea—countries they admire. Let them move there," he asserted.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that this opportunity is time-sensitive: "If they don't seize this chance, there's a decision point in place as determined by the administration."
Regarding the balance of power, he was explicit: "In this diplomatic negotiation, the United States holds all the cards."
Anticipating a Turning Point
Brigadier General Garffer suggested that July 26, National Rebellion Day that commemorates the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, could mark a significant shift in regime change. "It would be tremendous if an overthrow of this communist dictatorship occurred either before or on that day," he predicted.
Dismissing Regime's Threats as "False Machismo"
Addressing Díaz-Canel's threats of potential bloodshed, Garffer dismissed them by drawing historical parallels: "We're seeing Díaz-Canel's rhetoric echoing that of Maduro, Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran, and Raoul Cédras in Haiti during the '90s and 2000s—it's all false machismo."
The mention of Cédras is telling: the Haitian general who led the 1991 coup against Aristide eventually went into exile in 1994 under U.S. military pressure, without a major troop deployment.
Preparations Underway Since 2025
Garffer disclosed that the military preparations are not new: "This has been ongoing since July or August of last year, in what is referred to as shaping operations. Essentially, we are setting the board to execute operations."
The interview was conducted at Roosevelt Roads, a base with an 11,000-foot runway, which was closed in 2004 and later reactivated by the Trump administration. Aircraft and helicopters that participated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, operated from this base.
Strategic Moves in Guantánamo
Garffer framed the visit of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to Guantánamo—his second since taking office—as part of a coordinated strategy: "This visit is part of the Secretary of War sending a clear and forceful message on U.S. soil, albeit in Cuba, that the avenues for negotiation are nearing an end one way or another."
From Guantánamo, Hegseth announced the "Donroe Doctrine" and warned the regime that acquiring weapons capable of reaching the base or the U.S. mainland would be "an invitation to a confrontation they neither desire nor could withstand."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Regime's Future
What options have been offered to the Cuban regime for relocation?
The regime has been given opportunities to relocate to Russia, China, or North Korea, countries they are known to favor.
Why is the 26th of July significant in the context of Cuban regime change?
July 26, known as National Rebellion Day, is significant as it commemorates the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks, and it is anticipated as a possible date for a regime change.
How has the U.S. military been preparing for potential operations in Cuba?
Military preparations have been ongoing since mid-2025, involving shaping operations to strategically position forces for potential execution of operations.
What is the "Donroe Doctrine" mentioned by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth?
The "Donroe Doctrine" is a strategy announced by Hegseth, warning the Cuban regime against acquiring weaponry that could reach U.S. territories, as this would provoke a confrontation they cannot handle.