cuba still haunts the halls of 'our' government; 

 

• Pentagon planners have examined options for a large-scale military operation against Cuba, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of troops from the 101st Airborne Division.
• The potential operation comes as the Trump administration's economic blockade has caused infant mortality rates to double and essential medicines to drop to 30% of normal supply levels.
• UN human rights chief Volker Türk has called the sanctions “indiscriminate and harsh” and warned children are dying due to lack of medical access.
• U.S. military resources are already stretched thin by ongoing operations against Iran, creating logistical complications for any Cuba intervention.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly favored diplomatic solutions, while President Trump has openly threatened invasion of the island nation.

Senior Pentagon officials have in recent weeks examined a range of military options against Cuba, including a potential air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers, as the Trump administration's economic blockade pushes the island nation deeper into humanitarian crisis, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News on July 16, 2026.

The planning comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation that has seen infant mortality double, childhood cancer survival rates fall from 85% to 65%, and essential medicines available at only 30% of normal supply levels, according to the UN human rights office. The blockade, intensified since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, has triggered mass blackouts, food shortages and protests across the island............more............