US Army Reserve assessing troop readiness for potential military operation in Cuba
US officials say assessment does not amount to deployment orders or indicate final decision on military action
The US Army Reserve is assessing whether it can provide medical, military police and other support units to US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) within 90 to 120 days amid military planning for potential action in Cuba, according to US officials.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the message does not constitute deployment orders. They also said President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on launching a military operation.
The internal directive asks subordinate commands to assess the availability of six types of formations that could be placed under SOUTHCOM within 90 to 120 days.
The requested assets include medical brigades, forward surgical units, military police, engineer battalions and sustainment command units.
The message itself does not mention Cuba. However, multiple US officials told local media that the request is part of continued military planning concerning possible action against Cuba.
Officials stressed that readiness assessments can be conducted for contingency planning and do not necessarily indicate that military action will take place soon.
The assessment comes amid heightened political and economic pressure from the Trump administration on the government of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.
On Sept. 17, the Treasury Department announced Cuba-related sanctions, including measures targeting Cuban military-linked entities and officials.
Diaz-Canel previously said Cuba would be prepared to resist any US aggression, while also denying that Havana poses a military threat to Washington.
The latest Army Reserve assessment follows earlier reports that US military planners have examined possible operations involving Cuba.
In July, CBS News reported that Pentagon officials had considered several military options, while stressing that such planning did not mean a decision had been made.
The Army message provides no indication that troops have been ordered to deploy or that an operation is imminent.
SOUTHCOM has not publicly disclosed any operational timeline related to Cuba.
