US military plans for possible operation in Cuba: Police, medical units could be ready within 120 days — Report | Today’s news
The U.S. Army Reserve is examining whether it can provide military police, medical personnel and other support units to the U.S. Southern Command over the next four months as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Cuba, CBS News reported.
An internal Army report reviewed by the news outlet asks subordinate commands to assess the availability of six types of formations that could potentially fall under Southern Command. The document says the troops could “possibly (be) needed in 90-120 days” and calls for the orders to respond to the Army Reserve Command by September 25.
No deployment orders have been issued
The report itself does not mention Cuba, specify the number of troops needed, or identify where the force might be deployed or what operation it would support. Several US officials told CBS News that the request is part of ongoing military planning aimed at Cuba.
There is also no indication in the document that any units have been ordered to deploy, CBS News reports.
Trump is escalating pressure on Cuba
The latest Army Reserve planning comes as Trump has stepped up pressure on Havana. In his Sept. 22 address to the UN General Assembly, Trump called Cuba a “failing state” and said his administration was seeking “fundamental change” there. He also said that “freedom will come to Cuba”. The Cuban delegation left during his remarks.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba would defend its sovereignty and accused Washington of portraying the country as a threat to justify its policies.
Cuba faces fuel shortages, repeated power outages
The US has maintained its longstanding trade embargo on Cuba, while the Trump administration has stepped up economic pressure on the island. Cuba’s power grid has crashed repeatedly this year, leaving millions without power during the latest outage, which CBS News reported on Sept. 19.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that conditions in Cuba will not improve without changes on the part of the country’s leadership.
Cuba rejects US pressure
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel subsequently stated that Cuba would defend its sovereignty and accused Washington of portraying the country as a threat to justify its policies.
The Trump administration has imposed additional economic pressure on Havana, including restrictions affecting fuel supplies. Cuba faces severe power shortages and repeated blackouts amid its wider economic crisis.
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The US is considering new restrictions on Cuban officials traveling to the UN
The Trump administration is considering new restrictions on Cuban officials traveling to the United Nations General Assembly, potentially making it more difficult for Havana officials to participate in an upcoming General Assembly vote on a decades-long U.S. economic embargo, The Associated Press reported.
Despite the approval of a large Cuban delegation to the United Nations General Assembly this week, the State Department is now considering “rigorous vetting” of officials who plan to return to New York next month for the annual vote on the U.S. embargo, according to U.S. officials and an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said details of any restrictions had not yet been finalized.
Cuba accuses US of ‘collective punishment’
The possible restrictions come as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Washington of imposing collective punishment on the Cuban people through expanding economic measures.
Speaking to the AP on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Rodríguez said the relationship between the two countries was defined by what he described as a tightening economic and financial blockade and a total oil “siege,” which he likened to a naval blockade.
Talks between Cuba and the US have reached an impasse
Rodríguez said there are currently no meetings planned with US officials, but says Havana remains willing to keep communication channels open.
He said previous discussions had been respectful, but accused US officials of following them with increasingly aggressive public statements and policy decisions.
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