Warships, Marines, Surveillance Assets Positioned Near Cuba As Trump Signals Possible Action

Last Updated:May 28, 2026, 07:03 IST

Pentagon has positioned warships, Marines and surveillance assets near Cuba, giving the US the capability to launch military action quickly if Donald Trump approves it.

The Pentagon has spent months positioning troops, warships and surveillance assets that could allow the United States to launch military action against Cuba at short notice, according to a report by Politico.

The report said the deployment has created a large American military presence in the region, even as President Donald Trump continues to publicly float the possibility of intervention in Cuba after economic pressure failed to destabilise the communist government.

According to the report, the military build-up includes the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group, guided missile destroyers and cruisers capable of launching precision strikes, as well as surveillance drones and aircraft monitoring Cuban territory.

The report said the USS Kearsarge amphibious ships, carrying around 2,500 Marines, are also preparing for deployment and could replace vessels already stationed in the region.

It mentioned that the positioning of these assets gives Washington a range of military options, from precision strikes to a possible operation targeting Cuba’s leadership.

The report cited former Pentagon official Mark Cancian as saying the USS Nimitz was “likely there primarily for intimidation," though it could also support military operations if required.

Cancian reportedly said air strikes aimed at neutralising Cuban air defences and leadership targets were possible scenarios being considered.

The report further said Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Cuba as “in a lot of trouble" during a Cabinet meeting and argued that “having a failed state 90 miles from our shores is a threat to the national security of the United States."

The report also highlighted growing concerns within the Pentagon over the strain on naval forces because of unusually long deployments.

Several warships have reportedly remained at sea for nearly 10 months, significantly longer than the standard six-to-seven-month rotation.

According to the report, defence officials fear prolonged deployments could affect crew morale, maintenance schedules and future naval readiness.

CUBA URGES INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PREVENT ‘HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE’

Separately, AFP reported that Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla appealed before the United Nations Security Council for urgent international intervention to prevent what he described as a looming humanitarian disaster caused by the US energy blockade and mounting military threats.

“I call on the international community to mobilise to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe that could be imposed through arms or the fuel blockade," Rodriguez said, according to AFP.

He added that “now should be the time for solidarity with Cuba."

The report added that Trump has repeatedly suggested Cuba could become the next target for military action after the January operation in Venezuela that led to the ouster of Nicolas Maduro.

The report noted that Cuba’s worsening economic crisis, marked by shortages of food, medicine and repeated power blackouts, has deepened after the US cut off oil supplies from Venezuela.

The AFP report further said Havana accused Washington of attempting to create a pretext for regime change after the Trump administration indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two US-based planes.

Rodriguez dismissed US claims that Cuba poses a national security threat, saying such assertions “go against logic and common sense."

He also urged the international community to “let Cuba live in peace."

TRUMP SAYS HE MAY BE THE PRESIDENT TO ‘DO IT’

Earlier, AP had reported that Trump openly raised the possibility of direct military intervention in Cuba while speaking to reporters at the White House.

“Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something," Trump said.

“And, it looks like I’ll be the one who does it. So, I would be happy to do it."

According to AP, Rubio simultaneously argued that Cuba represents a national security threat because of its ties with China, Russia and other US adversaries.

While Rubio said Washington preferred a negotiated settlement, he acknowledged doubts over whether diplomacy with Havana’s current leadership could succeed.

AP also reported that senior Trump administration officials, including Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, had engaged in discussions with Cuban representatives in recent months, though the talks reportedly failed to produce significant progress.

Rubio said Cuba was accustomed to “buying time and waiting us out," adding that the administration was “very serious" and “very focused."

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