That's a good question, so what do you think might be the answer?
If we work with assumption it's not an accident/idiocy/etc, what is the state of relationships between US & Cuba? Does this send any kind of message and if so who is the audience: Cuban leadership, or local (US) readership, or international readership? Does it change the conversation in any upcoming meeting? Does it alter a stance in some negotiation?
Alternatively, and perhaps closer to where you were going, is there a sub-government entity that benefits - a department or an organization? If intelligence community is not in good relationship with or respected by the government does this help them? "We're under a thread, we need more autonomy/financing/powers"? Alternatively does it hinder them - "we give you all this equipment and money, yet you cannot prevent this"?
etc etc. I honestly don't have an answer - but as much as I like to rant against any given gov't as much as the next person (and perhaps more), I imagine there exists one rather than being fully inexplicable and illogical...
This has Russia written all over it. They've been participating unconventional "warfare" for many years now.
Think of cyber/social media activities against the West, propaganda, invading Crimea without admitting to having troops in the area, covert assassinations of adversaries in the West, and psychological operations against Western diplomats in Russia.
NATO restricts their regular military options, so they exert influence in any way they can. I believe the only reason we haven't been told Russia is number one suspect is Trump administration's warm ties to that direction.
If we work with assumption it's not an accident/idiocy/etc, what is the state of relationships between US & Cuba? Does this send any kind of message and if so who is the audience: Cuban leadership, or local (US) readership, or international readership? Does it change the conversation in any upcoming meeting? Does it alter a stance in some negotiation? Alternatively, and perhaps closer to where you were going, is there a sub-government entity that benefits - a department or an organization? If intelligence community is not in good relationship with or respected by the government does this help them? "We're under a thread, we need more autonomy/financing/powers"? Alternatively does it hinder them - "we give you all this equipment and money, yet you cannot prevent this"?
etc etc. I honestly don't have an answer - but as much as I like to rant against any given gov't as much as the next person (and perhaps more), I imagine there exists one rather than being fully inexplicable and illogical...