UPDATE (6 April 2016) - Cuba deposited its instrument of accession to become the 99th State Party to the Convention on cluster munitions (see more). [Profile to be more fully updated later in 2016].

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Five-Year Review: Non-signatory Cuba has expressed support for a ban on cluster munitions, but it has never expressed support for the convention or given any indication that it is considering acceding. It participated as an observer in some of the convention’s meetings. Cuba is not known to have used, produced, or exported cluster munitions, but it has a stockpile.

Policy

The Republic of Cuba has not acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Cuba has never expressed support for the convention or given any indications that it is considering acceding. It last commented on accession at a regional workshop in December 2013, when a government representative stated that Cuba does not have “a definitive position” on joining the convention and listed the country’s concerns. Cuba objects to the way the Convention on Cluster Munitions was negotiated outside of UN auspices and has concerns about the convention’s definition of cluster munitions and the “interoperability” provisions contained in Article 21 on relations with states not party to the convention.[1]

Cuba is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and has affirmed its support “for a total prohibition” on cluster munitions achieved through a new CCW protocol. Cuba participated in CCW efforts to conclude a new protocol on cluster munitions, which failed in 2011, effectively ending CCW deliberations on cluster munitions and leaving the Convention on Cluster Munitions as the sole multilateral instrument dedicated specifically to eradicating these weapons.[2]

Cuba did not participate in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

It has participated as an observer in some of the convention’s meetings. Cuba attended the convention’s Meetings of States Parties held in 2010, 2011, and the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in San Jose, Costa Rica in September 2014, where it made a statement.[3]

Cuba is not party to the Mine Ban Treaty.

Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling

Cuba is not known to have used, produced, or exported cluster munitions. It has a stockpile of cluster munitions of Russian origin. Jane’s Information Group lists Cuba as possessing KMG-U dispensers that deploy submunitions and RBK-250, RBK-275, and RBK-500 cluster bombs.[4]

In December 2013, Cuba expressed concern at what it described as an “allegation” that it possesses a stockpile of cluster munitions, asked for the source of the information and how it was verified, and said that Cuba has never confirmed or denied this information or made a declaration about its stockpile on cluster munitions.[5]

Cluster Munition Monitor stands by its finding that Cuba has a stockpile of cluster munitions, which has been reported since the first Monitor report on the subject was issued in 2009.