An internal message from the U.S. Army revealed that it is considering providing the Southern Command with police forces, medical personnel, and other support units within the next four months as part of troop deployment in the Caribbean.
According to CBS News, "there's nothing in it indicating Cuba or that any units have received deployment orders, but the planning comes at a time when the Trump administration is exerting intense economic pressure on Cuba and urging it to undertake political reforms." The document states that the Army Reserve headquarters is requesting feedback from subordinate commands regarding the potential availability of six types of formations that will fall under the authority of U.S. Southern Command, and these units may be needed within 90 to 120 days.
Among these units are a combat sustainment support battalion, an engineering battalion, an expeditionary sustainment command, a medical brigade, a forward surgical and recovery detachment, and a military police brigade.
Earlier this year, U.S. forces conducted reconnaissance operations on the seabed and maritime approaches surrounding the Cuban island, and U.S. Air Force components were placed on maximum readiness and directed to prepare personnel in advance for a possible deployment, although those plans did not materialize.