U.S. Army Reserve drafts contingency plans for possible operations near Cuba

The U.S. Army Reserve has issued an internal request for feedback from subordinate commands on the possible provision of six formation types—combat sustainment support, engineer, expeditionary sustainment, medical brigade, forward surgical detachment, and military police brigade—that could be available to U.S. Southern Command within 90-120 days. While the document does not mention Cuba, U.S. officials confirm the planning targets the island, yet no deployment orders have been given.

The plan does not detail required troop levels or specific destinations within the Southern Command’s area, which includes Central and South America and the Caribbean. This move follows recent seafloor reconnaissance around Cuba, heightened air-force readiness, and the Trump administration’s intensified sanctions and rhetoric, including the “Donroe Doctrine” and promises of regime change. Earlier this year, U.S. forces conducted joint operations in Ecuador against a narco-terrorist group, and the military has carried out over 230 strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September. The emerging contingency underscores escalating U.S. pressure on Havana amid accusations of closer ties with Russia, China and Iran.