Pentagon ramps up planning of possible military ops in Cuba

U.S. military planning for a possible Pentagon-led operation inside Cuba is quietly ramping up in case President Trump orders intervention.

This escalation stems from tensions that began in January when the Trump administration curbed oil shipments to the communist-run island as part of a campaign to force sweeping political changes.

The directives first surfaced on Zeteo’s Substack and quickly circulated on Capitol Hill.

Trump has openly suggested he expects the “honor” of “taking Cuba, in some form.” He added, “Whether I free it, take it. I think I can do anything I want with it.”

On April 13 Trump told USA TODAY at the White House, “We may stop by Cuba after we’re finished with this,” referring to the Iran conflict.

The stealthy U.S. extraction of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from Caracas on January 3 killed 32 Cuban military personnel guarding him.

That raid sent shockwaves through Cuba’s exile communities in South Florida and fueled speculation that Cuba would be next.

Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel vowed resistance. “We will battle, we will defend ourselves, and should we fall in battle, to die for the homeland is to live,” he said.

U.S. and Cuban officials acknowledged early-stage talks to resolve the crisis, yet compromise remains unclear.