Think of Cuba. US tried to invade then imposed sanctions simply because it didn’t want Cuban allies and the fact that they were supplying them arms.
US would 100% attack and invade any country in their “sphere of influence” if they felt threatened, it’s just that their soft power is better and nobody even dares to try.
That was also after Cuba nationalized its industries, many of which had US shareholders without paying them, had political purges that murdered hundreds of thousands (Che shirts celebrate a mass murderer) got in bed with the USSR and tried to put nukes on the island.
The idea that Cuba was minding its own business is laughable.
Nobody wants a psychopath neighbor on a moscow leash with nukes 90mi from their border…
US would 100% attack and invade any country in their “sphere of influence” if they felt threatened, it’s just that their soft power is better and nobody even dares to try.