The U.S. Embassy in Reykjavík issued a security warning on Thursday, October 28, 2026, after learning that a planned protest by the Icelandic‑Cuban Friendship Association would take place in the capital. The protest is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and is aimed at the United States’ sanctions against Cuba. The embassy announced that it would close early that day and would reopen later according to its normal schedule. U.S. citizens were urged to avoid the area and to remain vigilant in the vicinity of the protest. Those who witness or become victims of any violence were advised to contact the emergency line. In a statement posted on the embassy’s Facebook page, officials warned that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent. “Even protests that are intended to be peaceful can turn into conflict and potentially turn violent,” the statement read. The protest is part of a broader response to U.S. sanctions on Cuba. The sanctions were recently reaffirmed by U.S. officials, and U.S. Representative Mike Waltz had previously criticized Cuban authorities for allegedly forcing citizens into forced labor. Cuban officials responded to Waltz’s remarks at a United Nations meeting by leaving the room in protest. The embassy’s warning is the first of its kind in relation to this protest. The U.S. Embassy will resume normal operations after the protest has concluded.