Warfare Without Bombs

All aggression is not carried out with bombs and weapons of war. War as we know it is armed conflict, which involves violence, soldiers and weapons. Across the world, we can point to places where war and conflict rage, places where the lives of people are being taken daily, places where people are rendered collateral damage in wars undertaken by heads of states whose lives are not affected or are under affected by the violence they create with their policies. This is easily recognized, noticed by more than a few, and even makes the priorities of the 24/7 news cycle on occasion.

And then, there are the places where warfare rages without bombs. Warfare without bombs refers to non-kinetic warfare—conflicts, competition, or hostile actions aimed at an adversary that do not involve traditional physical weapons like bombs, bullets, or direct troop engagement.

The primary goal of these strategies is to achieve political or strategic dominance by damaging an enemy’s economy, infrastructure, or decision-making capabilities without triggering the legal or physical ramifications of traditional armed combat.

These are the places where people are dying, places where oppression is crushing, places where the policies of one government are having deadly effects on the people of another country. It is also seen in places where governments use strategies to oppress those living within their borders, ignoring the plight of marginalized communities.

These are intentional strategies created to impact communities and countries and bring them into compliance with demands which may not be in their best interest or those in their borders. While not using traditional weapons of war, this type of warfare is as destructive to people and places.

Cuba continues to be impacted by warfare without bombs which includes embargo and misinformation. Cuba has now endured 67 years of United States blockade following the Cuban missile crisis. More recently, the 47th president of the United States took “further steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14380 of January 29, 2026 (Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba)” with Executive Order “Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy” on May 1, 2026.

The executive order targets officials in the energy, defense, financial or security sectors of Cuba’s economy – as well as those the President of the United States alleges to have committed “human rights abuses” or corruption.

In a visit with the Cuban Ambassador, she noted ways in which the United States embargo is affecting the island which sits 90 miles off the Florida Keys. There are almost 100,000 people awaiting surgery on the island, including approximately 11,000 children. As the embargo continues with no access to oil for electricity and other needs, prioritization is being given to hospitals, education, and food production. Lifesaving systems are the priority with the urgency to save lives. Solutions are being sought to replace oil with a focus on solar energy, batteries, and refurbishing power plants. Cuba itself has issued an embargo on the exportation of spare parts. The new embargo cuts off any access to Venezuelan oil. In the meantime, the people suffer, especially those who are already on the margins.

Churches in the United States continue to be in solidarity with partners in Cuba. Punishing the people is strange policy when the people do not determine the policies that are dictated by their government. The people know they are not alone, even through the suffering that comes based on external decisions.

The perceived threats are not the same as they were during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Hegemony is the weapon wielded by the United States, as the suffering increases, without access to basic services.

The Helms-Burton Act (Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996) is a U.S. federal law that strengthens and continues the embargo against Cuba. Passed following the 1996 shooting down of two U.S. planes by Cuba, it aims to hasten a transition to democracy and protects U.S. nationals’ rights to property confiscated by the Cuban government. The Helms-Burton Act (1996) is criticized for its extraterritorial application, violating international law, and straining U.S. relations with allies like the EU and Canada.

Most critical here is the plight of the people in a war that is not of their making. Warfare without bombs is still killing the people. Advocacy and calls for change to policy must continue.

On this Cinco de Mayo, we remember the places of oppression in the world where larger countries dominate smaller ones, and places where peace is needed. The church continues to be present and to be advocates for change and freedom. “Until we are all free, none of us is free.” Emma Lazarus, 1883.

May it be so.

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