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The United States Army Reserve is assessing whether it can provide military police, medical personnel, engineers and logistics units to the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) within the next four months as Washington continues planning for possible military action involving Cuba, CBS News reported on September 25.
An internal Army message reviewed by CBS News does not mention Cuba, but multiple U.S. officials told the network that the request is part of continuing military planning focused on the island.
The document asks subordinate commands to determine whether six types of formations could be available to Southern Command, with some units “possibly [being] needed in 90-120 days.” The deadline for responses was September 25.
The formations under consideration include a combat sustainment support battalion responsible for transportation, maintenance, fuel and supplies, an engineer battalion and an expeditionary sustainment command. The Army Reserve is also seeking a medical brigade, a forward surgical and resuscitative detachment, and a military police brigade whose responsibilities can include security, detention and law enforcement missions.
The message does not specify how many personnel might be required, where they would be sent or what operation they would support. CBS News reported there was also no indication that any of the units had received deployment orders.
SOUTHCOM declined to discuss specific operational plans, saying it does not disclose information about potential deployments or future contingencies. The command said it continuously coordinates with the broader U.S. military to assess requirements across its area of responsibility.
The latest planning comes after months of escalating pressure on Havana that began following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3 that captured President Nicolás Maduro. Within weeks, the Trump administration declared Cuba a national emergency and established a mechanism for imposing additional tariffs on countries that supply the island with oil.
The pressure subsequently expanded beyond economic measures. Trump publicly raised the possibility of taking control of Cuba, saying in March that “Cuba’s going to be next.”
In May, U.S. intelligence agencies were examining how Havana might respond to a possible American military operation, while military planners began developing options. By July, CBS News reported that planners had examined an Army-led air assault involving thousands of troops.
This month, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Cuban entities and officials, including military-related enterprises. Trump recently told the U.N. General Assembly that his administration was seeking a “fundamental change” in Cuba and said the country’s communist government would fall, while also saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was engaged in negotiations with Havana.
The military preparations reported by CBS News follow other activity around Cuba. U.S. personnel conducted reconnaissance of seabed areas and maritime approaches around the island earlier this year, while some U.S. airpower units were placed on heightened readiness and personnel were prepared for potential deployment.
The new Army Reserve request indicates that the U.S. is not preparing for some minor military action in Cuba, but rather for a full-scale invasion. Havana had previously warned that it would fight back.
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