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The United States Army is reportedly taking preparatory steps for a possible operation involving Cuba, according to an exclusive published on Friday by CBS News, which obtained an internal Army message and spoke with several US officials familiar with the plans.
The US Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide US Southern Command with Military Police forces, medical staff and other support units within a period of 90 to 120 days, according to the document reviewed by CBS News.
The internal message does not explicitly mention Cuba. However, several US officials told the outlet, on condition of anonymity, that the request forms part of the military planning the United States is carrying out in relation to the island.
For the moment, there is no indication that any unit has been ordered to deploy, and the document does not specify where the forces would be sent or what kind of operation they would take part in.
Medical, logistics and military police units
According to the US network, the document requests information on the availability of six types of units that could be placed under the authority of US Southern Command, which is responsible for US military operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
These include units specialising in logistics, transport, maintenance, fuel and supplies, as well as an engineer battalion.
The request also covers a medical brigade, teams capable of providing emergency surgery and treatment for wounded troops close to deployed forces, and a Military Police brigade, typically used for security, detention and other policing tasks.
A Southern Command spokesman contacted by CBS News declined to give details of possible movements or deployment timelines for operational security reasons, and said the command continually assesses military needs within its area of responsibility.
‘A small neighbouring country’ posing no threat
The report comes after months of rising tensions and threats from US President Donald Trump, who this week told the UN General Assembly that Cuba “is a failed state” and that it “will fall”.
Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated in an interview with NBC News on Friday that the United States “will never be able to find justification” for launching a military attack against Cuba, and he dismissed the idea that the island would suffer the same fate as Venezuela:
“The U.S. government will never be able to find justification or any reason whatsoever to launch a military attack against a small neighbouring country that in no way poses a threat to its national security,” he asserted.