According to a daily newspaper report today, the United States is preparing options for military action against Cuba. USA Today.
Two sources familiar with the matter said the Pentagon is strengthening preparedness if U.S. President Donald Trump orders the military to intervene on the island.
In response, the Cuban government said it did not want an attack from the United States but was prepared for any possible intervention.
Relations between the two ideological adversaries have become more strained than at any time since the end of the Cold War, with the United States this year ousting Cuba’s closest political ally, Nicolas Maduro, from power in Venezuela and imposing a complete blockade of civilian fuel imports for the first three months of 2026.
But the start of high-level diplomatic talks between the two countries and the recent arrival of a Russian oil tanker in Cuba (which Trump said was “no problem”) signaled a growing mutual desire for a peaceful resolution to the tensions.
But earlier this week, President Trump said the United States “might stop by Cuba” after the conflict with Iran is resolved, which could mean that ongoing diplomatic talks between Cuba and the United States aimed at easing tensions are progressing poorly.
Nonetheless, Cuban President Diaz-Canel reiterated his desire for peace with the United States in his first interview with American media on Sunday, but warned that he and the Cuban people are willing to fight to defend the island from any attack from Washington.
In January, Havana ordered its military to prepare for war and hosted nationwide defense exercises to prepare for a potential invasion from the north, but its ability to defend against a Pentagon-led operation is unknown.
Jennifer Kavanagh, Senior Fellow and Director of Military Analysis, Foreign Policy Think Tank Defense Prioritytalk to Latin America Report About the possibility of American military operations in Cuba.
She guessed, USA Today It is likely a negotiating tactic to pressure the Cuban government into making bigger concessions in negotiations. “Such (military) operations are underway… Rubio has made clear his support for regime change in Cuba. Trump, too, is likely to welcome a distraction from Iran that he can sell as a success.”
The expert also explained what a potential intervention might look like: “I doubt they will use exiles, as they have failed to do in the past. A Maduro-style approach is possible. A more complete takeover of small, weak islands is the alternative.”
Kavanagh also weighed in on the likelihood of success of such an operation. “(but)
I think the US can overwhelm Cuba’s defense as the defender always has the advantage. “Maintaining the island long-term may be more difficult.”
The United States has intervened several times in Cuba, about 90 miles from the Cuban coast. In the early 1900s, the United States invaded the island three times to protect American economic interests.
After the victory of the Cuban Revolution in 1961, Washington also supported a failed invasion attempt by anti-communist Cuban exiles that became known as the Bay of Pigs.
At today’s rally, Díaz-Canel drew parallels between the latest threat and the infamous Cold War operation.
“This is an extremely difficult moment, and once again, as on April 16, 1961, it calls upon us to be prepared to face serious threats, including military attacks. We do not want that, but it is our duty to be prepared to avoid it and, if unavoidable, to defeat it.”
Featured image: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in Miami. USSOUTHCOM is the U.S. military command responsible for overseeing all military operations against Cuba.
Image source: Ministry of Defense via Wikimedia Commons patent: Creative Commons License
