The US military is not rehearsing for an invasion of Cuba or actively preparing to militarily take over the island, the top general overseeing American forces in Latin America has told lawmakers. Donovan’s remarks came during a Senate hearing focused on Donald Trump’s increasing use of the US military in Latin America, where his administration has reasserted the idea that the region falls into Washington’s zone of influence. Trump has piled tremendous economic pressure on Cuba by halting all Venezuelan oil shipments to the island, which has been forced to carry out severe energy rationing. “I won’t pull any punches, it’s in rough shape,” Donovan said of Guantánamo Bay. I believe [the base] is a pivotal point for any operations in the Caribbean,” he added.

Source: The Guardian March 19, 2026 21:04 UTC