Army Reserve Asks Units About Cuba Readiness: Report
Internal message seeks status of support forces potentially needed within 90-120 days, officials say.
The U.S. Army Reserve has inquired about the readiness of specific units, including military police, medics, and support personnel, for potential deployment to Cuba within a 90 to 120-day timeframe. This query was detailed in an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News.
The message requested feedback by Friday regarding the status of these forces, which could be required as early as late December. While the message itself does not explicitly mention Cuba, multiple U.S. officials anonymously confirmed to CBS News that the Communist island nation is the focus of this military planning.
The internal communication did not specify the number of troops needed, their deployment location, or the nature of the operation they would support. There is also no indication that any units have been deployed.
Among the units queried was a support battalion specializing in coordinating logistics such as transportation, maintenance, fuel, and supply. The message also sought information on an engineer battalion and a medical brigade, including a forward surgical detachment for trauma care.
A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, stated that the command does not comment on operational security matters or disclose details about potential deployments. However, the spokesperson added that U.S. Southern Command continually assesses requirements across its area of responsibility in support of assigned missions.
The inquiries come amid an increasingly assertive posture by the Trump administration in the Western Hemisphere, a policy described by officials as the "Donroe Doctrine." In the lead-up to the United Nations General Assembly, the administration imposed sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, targeting military research and development enterprises linked to the island's nickel industry.
During his address at the UN General Assembly, President Trump called for "fundamental change" in Cuba and predicted the fall of the current Havana government, a statement that prompted the Caribbean delegation to walk out. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has previously vowed to counter any U.S. aggression and accused Washington of "economic warfare."
In March, President Trump had also indicated a potential U.S. interest in taking action concerning Cuba, stating at the time that he would have "the honor of taking Cuba."