The Army Reserve has asked its commanders whether military police, medics and other support units could be made available as soon as late December to back potential military action aimed at Cuba, according to a new report.
An internal Army message reviewed by CBS News sought feedback by Friday about the status of those forces, which would be “possibly needed in 90-120 days.”
The missive does not mention Cuba, but the outlet cited multiple US officials who claimed anonymously that the Communist island is the focus of military planning.
The message also does not say how many troops would be needed, specify where they would be sent or denote what operation they would support.
There is also no indication that units have been deployed overseas.
One of the units the Army Reserve reportedly asked about is a support battalion that specializes in coordinating logistics like transportation, maintenance, fuel and supply needs.
The message also inquired about an engineer battalion and a medical brigade, including a forward surgical detachment to provide trauma care, according to CBS.
A spokesperson for US Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean, told CBS News that “due to operational security concerns, we do not disclose details or comment on US operational movements or potential deployment timelines associated with current or future operations, contingencies, or planning.
“However, US Southern Command continuously coordinates with the Joint Force to assess a range of potential requirements across its [area of responsibility] in support of assigned missions.”
Since the start of President Trump’s second term, Washington has asserted itself more aggressively in the Western Hemisphere as part of what officials call the “Donroe Doctrine.”
Ahead of this week’s United Nations General Assembly, the Trump administration imposed heavy sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, including military research and development enterprises tied to the country’s nickel industry.
On Tuesday, the president told delegates at UNGA that his administration wants “fundamental change” on the island before predicting that the current Havana government “will fall” and that “freedom will be coming to Cuba,” causing the Caribbean delegation to storm out of the hall.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has vowed to counter any US attack, and accused Washington of “aggression” and “economic warfare” by blocking oil imports to Cuba.
In March of this year, during the early stages of the war with Iran, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he would have “the honor of taking Cuba.”
“Taking Cuba in some form, yeah,” he said at the time. “Taking Cuba. I mean, whether I free it, take it — I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth.”
