Pentagon Intensifies Covert Planning for Potential Cuba Operation: US Scenarios Revealed

US-Cuba Relations Under Strain

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Pentagon has accelerated secret military planning for potential actions in Cuba, should an order be issued by US President Donald Trump. According to USA Today, this information comes from two anonymous sources familiar with the directives. Tensions between the United States and Cuba escalated following oil supply restrictions imposed by the Trump administration in January 2026. In a statement, the Pentagon noted it routinely plans for a wide range of contingencies. This planning occurs against the backdrop of a historically complex relationship between the two nations, separated by just 90 miles of water.

Cuban Response and Expert Analysis

Amid the heightened situation, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed readiness for defense, stating:

“We will fight, we will defend ourselves, and if we are destined to fall in battle-to die for the Homeland is to live.”

Meanwhile, on April 16, 2026, Trump told USA Today that the US might 'take a look at Cuba' after resolving the conflict with Iran. Brian Fonseca, Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at Florida International University, believes talk of a military operation could be a form of threat demonstration. He notes that 'it would be a very easy military victory, but a much more difficult political victory.'

It is worth noting that reports of escalation plans first appeared in the Substack publication Zeteo. In March 2026, USA Today also reported that the US and Cuba were negotiating a potential economic agreement. Concurrently, on January 3, 2026, a covert American operation in Venezuela resulted in the extraction of former President Nicolás Maduro, an event that likely further impacted relations between the states. During this operation, 32 Cuban military personnel were killed.

Both countries have acknowledged being in the early stages of seeking a way out of the crisis, underscoring the situation's complexity. In the context of these events, Trump's words

“Whether I free it or take it-I think I can do whatever I want with it”

reflect potential US intentions regarding Cuba.

The situation surrounding US-Cuba relations remains tense, driven by both economic and military factors. Both nations, aware of the crisis's seriousness, are attempting to find ways to resolve the conflict. However, aggressive statements from both sides risk leading to further escalation. These events highlight the critical importance of diplomatic dialogue, as military intervention could have unpredictable consequences for the region and international relations as a whole.

As tensions rise, the US administration is drawing comparisons between the situations in Cuba and Venezuela, prompting speculation about potential shifts in power dynamics in Havana. For a deeper understanding of these developments and how they may influence US-Cuba relations, explore our analysis on the parallels between the two nations.