US military planning for possible Cuba operation gains momentum
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
In the United States, military planning for a possible operation in Cuba is quietly gaining momentum under Pentagon leadership, which is awaiting presidential order to intervene, USA TODAY reports.
US shifts focus to Cuba
As is known, even though the administration of Donald Trump has shifted its attention to the war with Iran, tensions between Washington and Havana have escalated in recent weeks.
As is known, Trump recently hinted that he expects to soon have the "honor" of "taking Cuba, in some form."
"Whether I free it, take it − I think I can do anything I want with it," he said.
On April 13, the American leader also stated at the White House:
"We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this," said the head of the White House, referring to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
As a result, in a statement to USA TODAY, the Pentagon said it is planning a range of contingencies and remains ready to carry out presidential orders as directed.
Cuba's response to US intentions
However, as is known, Cuban authorities are not going to give up so easily. In a recent interview with Newsweek, the president of the island state, Miguel Díaz-Canel, vowed that his country would respond if the United States launches a military attack.
"We will battle, we will defend ourselves, and should we fall in battle, to die for the homeland is to live," he said.
What preceded this
The publication notes that the renewed discussion of a US takeover of Cuba is an escalation of tensions between the countries, caused by Washington's oil blockade of the island.
It is reported that this blockade, in turn, is part of a broader US campaign aimed at large-scale political changes in the communist state.
As is known, after the US operation in Venezuela, the White House stated that Cuba could be next.
The escalation between the countries reached its peak when Trump imposed an oil blockade on the island, which led to an energy crisis in Cuba. Russia even recently sent an oil tanker to the island with US approval to prevent the energy situation from reaching a critical level.
Recently, Donald Trump stated that Washington may return to the issue of Cuba after completing actions related to Iran.
For now, Washington and Tehran remain in a truce mode and are trying to reach an agreement through negotiations, although Iran opposes the main US condition — abandoning its nuclear program.
