General Francis Donovan, head of US Southern Command, has told lawmakers that the US military is not rehearsing for an invasion of Cuba or actively preparing to take over the island. His remarks came during a Senate hearing focused on Donald Trump's increasing use of the military in Latin America.
Donovan said the Pentagon stands ready to address threats to the US embassy in Havana, defend the Guantánamo Bay base, and aid efforts to address any mass migration from Cuba if needed. He was asked directly whether any US military command was conducting rehearsals involving seizing or occupying Cuba, and replied: 'No.'
The hearing followed comments by Trump that he expected to take Cuba 'in some form' and that 'I can do anything I want' with the country. However, US efforts so far appear focused on economic pressure, including halting Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, leading to severe energy rationing and a collapse of the electric grid.
Donovan noted that Guantánamo Bay had suffered storm damage and needed investment, saying: 'I won't pull any punches, it's in rough shape. Because of the hurricane damage, we're down to one working pier and one refueling pier.'
The denials come as Cuba and the US have opened talks aimed at improving relations, which are at one of the most contentious moments since Fidel Castro's revolution.
