U.S. Military Prepares for Possible Operation on Cuba
Although the report does not reference Cuba, a request for long-term military planning is directed against Cuba. This year, US military forces have already conducted a series of reconnaissance operations off the coast of Cuba, and several US Air Force units have been placed on heightened combat readiness.
Consensus
- The U.S. military is conducting logistical and planning preparations for a potential operation in the region of the Southern Command.
- The Southern Command is responsible for military operations and security cooperation in Central and South America and the Caribbean.
- The U.S. Army's reserve forces are assessing the availability of six types of support units for potential deployment.
- The units under consideration include military police brigades, medical brigades, forward surgical teams, logistics battalions, engineering battalions, and command support units.
- The potential deployment timeframe is estimated at 90–120 days from the time of the document.
- The documents do not mention Cuba directly, and the Southern Command declined to comment citing operational security.
- CBS News reported that the planning may be linked to a possible operation against Cuba, based on sources and internal military documents.
Points of divergence
- The document explicitly asks whether the Southern Command can receive a military police brigade, medical brigade, forward surgical team, logistics battalion, engineering battalion, and other support forces. — kommerzant
- CBS News reported that U.S. military conducted reconnaissance operations studying underwater and maritime approaches to Cuba, and that certain components of the U.S. Air Force were placed on heightened readiness. — vedomosti
- CBS News stated that the plans were not implemented and that some information was withheld to avoid endangering U.S. military personnel. — vedomosti
- In May 2017, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would 'deal with' Cuba, calling it dysfunctional, and in June confirmed intent to seek regime change after resolving the Iran issue. — vedomosti
- In early August, Politico reported that the U.S. had increased intelligence personnel on Cuba to pressure the government into reforms or regime change. — vedomosti
Coverage (7 sources)
- Island preparation — Рыбарь
- CBS Channel reported on preparation in Pentagon of military operation against Cuba — Вести
- CBS: US Army checks possibilities for invasion of Cuba — РИАМО
- CBS News found documents of US Armed Forces on possible preparation for operation in Cuba — Интерфакс
- CBS News: US Army prepares for possible military operation on Cuba — Коммерсантъ
- US Armed Forces continue preparations for possible military operation in Cuba, CBS News reported citing internal document — ТАСС (Telegram)
- CBS: USA is considering the possibility of a military operation against Cuba — Ведомости