It was claimed that the US army continues to evaluate preparation options for a possible operation against Cuba.
According to the internal memo of the US Army Reserve, obtained by CBS News, it is being investigated whether various support units can be made ready within the next four months to be used in the US Southern Command's area of responsibility.
US officials who spoke to the news and whose names were not disclosed claimed that Cuba was not directly mentioned in the document, but that the work in question was part of the ongoing military planning for Cuba.
According to CBS News, there is no statement in the document that any military unit was ordered to deploy.
It is also not stated how many soldiers will be needed, to which country or region the troops can be sent, or for what mission they will be used. US officials also emphasize that the planning does not mean that the Washington administration has decided on a military operation.
The internal memo stated that the Ground Forces Reserve headquarters requested information from subordinate commands on the possible availability of six different unit types.
The document stated that these troops "may be needed within 90 to 120 days." Commands were asked to submit their evaluations to the central headquarters by September 25.
MILITARY POLICE, HEALTH AND LOGISTICS UNIONS ARE ON THE AGENDA
It was reported that among the units evaluated were the military police brigade, medical brigade, engineer battalion and units capable of coordinating large-scale logistics operations.
It was stated that the planning also includes advanced medical teams that can provide emergency surgical intervention and trauma treatment in areas close to US forces.
In a statement to CBS News, the US Southern Command Spokesperson stated that they do not share details about possible troop movements, deployment schedules or future operations for operational security reasons.
In the statement, it was stated that Southern Command is in constant coordination with other elements of the US Armed Forces in order to meet possible needs in its area of responsibility.
TRUMP: “I DON'T THINK WE WILL NEED SOLDIERS”
US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday that he did not think a military option would be needed regarding Cuba.
Trump argued that the United States and Cuba could reach an agreement and made it clear that he wanted "fundamental change" in Cuba at a time when Washington continued its economic and political pressure on Havana.
According to CBS News, US forces conducted reconnaissance activities on the seabed and sea transit routes around Cuba earlier this year.
The news stated that US air forces had previously been put at a high level of readiness for a possible deployment, but these plans were not implemented.
CBS News reported in July that US military planners were evaluating various options for Cuba, including airborne operations that could involve thousands of soldiers. Officials underlined that these evaluations did not mean a political or military operation decision.
WASHINGTON-HAVANA TENSION CONTINUES
While the Trump administration has recently expanded sanctions against Cuba, it accuses the Havana administration of improving its relations with Russia, China and Iran.
The Cuban administration describes the US policies as "economic war" and "aggression".
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel also announced that a possible US attack on his country would be responded to.
