Media: U.S. Accelerating Military Planning Against Cuba, Pentagon Ready

Internal U.S. government sources have revealed a quiet intensification of military planning targeting Cuba. According to multiple informed sources cited by USA TODAY, the Pentagon has begun preparing for potential operations as President Donald Trump may soon issue an order to intervene. This move is seen as the latest sign of a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Cuba relations, bringing the long-tense relationship—dating back to the Cold War—once again to the brink of crisis.

Two individuals familiar with the relevant directives told USA TODAY that the planning is being advanced discreetly but declined to be named due to lack of authorization to speak publicly. These military preparations are believed to be directly linked to a series of hardline measures Washington has taken against Cuba since January this year. At the time, the Trump administration drastically cut oil supplies to Cuba, aiming to force comprehensive political reforms from the Caribbean nation.

Although the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Southern Command have not officially responded, the plans have circulated widely within Washington’s political circles and Capitol Hill, drawing concern. USA TODAY reported last month that the U.S. and Cuba have actually initiated preliminary contact aimed at finding ways to ease the crisis—including the possibility of reaching a historic economic agreement to improve bilateral relations. However, room for compromise on core issues remains unclear.

Trump has repeatedly issued strong signals in recent days. During a White House interview on Monday, he said, “After we handle our military conflict with Iran, we might just stop by Cuba.” He also stated outright: “I might take over Cuba in some form… whether it's liberating it or taking it over—I believe I can do anything I want with it.” These remarks have further fueled speculation about potential military action.

Meanwhile, Cuba has adopted an equally firm stance. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warned during a recent media interview that if the U.S. launches an attack, Cuba will resist fiercely. He said: “We will fight; we will defend ourselves. If we fall in battle, dying for our homeland is living.” He emphasized that any U.S. military aggression against Cuba is “completely unjustified,” adding that the Cuban people are ready “to defend their country even at the cost of their lives.”

The escalating tension between the two nations is closely tied to a series of recent geopolitical events. In January, a covert U.S. operation successfully removed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his residence in Caracas, sending shockwaves across Latin America and among Cuban exile communities. During that operation, 32 Cuban soldiers assigned to protect Maduro were killed, further fueling speculation that Cuba could be next on the U.S. agenda.

On the other hand, a recent report submitted by the U.S. State Department to Congress has also become a key factor in escalating tensions. Axios reported on Monday that Cuba may have provided up to 1,000 to 5,000 combatants to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, along with “diplomatic and political backing.” While the report acknowledges that “public information cannot confirm the Havana government formally dispatched all personnel,” it stresses that “clear indicators suggest the regime was aware, tacitly approved, and even facilitated such movements.”

The report states: “Cuban citizens have become one of the largest foreign combat groups supporting Russia’s military operations.” Ukrainian intelligence agencies estimate that thousands of these individuals were deployed directly on the front lines. A State Department spokesperson criticized the Cuban government for “failing to protect its citizens from being used as pawns in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

In response, hawkish voices in the U.S. Congress have grown increasingly vocal. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said: “The Cuban regime is harming American interests around the globe. If President Trump moves to replace it—and I believe this will happen soon—it will be a good day for the United States and its allies.”

However, the Cuban government has denied the allegations and stated that it has already launched criminal investigations into suspected recruitment of nationals to fight in Russia, emphasizing that human trafficking is illegal in Cuba. Nevertheless, U.S. officials question the transparency of Cuba’s judicial system, making such claims difficult to verify.

On the economic front, Cuba is facing one of its most severe crises in years. Fuel shortages, nationwide power outages, and inadequate supplies of food and medicine have severely impacted daily life. The Cuban government blames long-standing U.S. sanctions, calling them “genocidal and cruel”; meanwhile, the U.S. argues that the root cause lies in Cuba’s own structural economic imbalances.

Additionally, Venezuela’s reduced oil supply and global supply chain disruptions have further worsened Cuba’s energy crisis, leading to frequent blackouts. These factors combined have heightened social discontent, raising concerns about whether the U.S. might exploit the situation to increase pressure for regime change.

Despite the rising hostility, limited contact between the two sides continues. Cuba’s deputy foreign minister stated that bilateral dialogue remains at a “very preliminary stage,” indicating that diplomatic resolution has not been entirely ruled out.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1862581150861323/

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