The U.S. military is not rehearsing for an invasion of Cuba or actively preparing to take over the island, the general in charge of American forces in Latin America told lawmakers in Washington on March 19.
Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, said the United States is ready to defend its naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, to address any threats to the U.S. embassy, and to support White House efforts to address any mass migration from the island, if needed.
Asked whether the U.S. is rehearsing military operations that involve seizing, occupying, or otherwise attempting to control Cuba, Donovan replied, “U.S. Southern Command is not.”
Asked whether he knew of any other U.S. military command doing so, Donovan responded, “No.”
Donovan made his comments during a Senate hearing focused on President Donald Trump’s use of the U.S. military in Latin America, following January’s operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who is charged with narco-terrorism offenses. He denies the charges.
The Trump administration has also launched a series of military strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats while expanding counter-narcotics alliances with pro-Washington governments in Latin America.
Hellbound and Down 