Pentagon Positions Forces in Caribbean as Trump Weighs Possible Action Against Cuba

Key Facts

Published: May 28, 2026 Location: Washington D.C. Source: Politico

• The Pentagon has positioned warships, aircraft, surveillance assets, and Marines around the Caribbean as the Trump administration weighs possible military options against Cuba.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that a “failed state 90 miles from our shores” represents a national security threat to the United States.
• The USS Nimitz carrier strike group entered the Caribbean in May, while U.S. surveillance aircraft have reportedly operated around Cuba for months.

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Pentagon has spent months positioning warships, aircraft, surveillance assets, and Marines around the Caribbean as President Donald Trump weighs possible military action against Cuba, according to a Politico report.

The buildup marks a major escalation in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to reassert American strength across the Western Hemisphere after months of sanctions and political pressure failed to loosen the grip of Cuba’s Communist government.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that Cuba poses a direct security concern for Washington.

“Cuba is in a lot of trouble,” Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting. “Having a failed state 90 miles from our shores is a threat to the national security of the United States.”

According to Politico, the USS Nimitz carrier strike group entered the Caribbean in May, joined by guided-missile destroyers and cruisers capable of launching precision strikes against targets onshore. U.S. Southern Command confirmed the Nimitz deployment last week, describing it as a demonstration of American readiness and strategic reach.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that U.S. drones and surveillance aircraft have conducted more than 150 hours of flights around Cuba since February, gathering intelligence as Washington increases pressure on Havana.

Politico reported that possible options under discussion include targeted strikes, operations against Cuban air defenses, or an effort aimed at removing Havana’s leadership. Mark Cancian, a former Pentagon official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Politico that the Nimitz is likely being used primarily for intimidation, though it could support military action if ordered.

The military buildup comes after two major U.S. regional actions earlier this year: the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the retaking of control of the Panama Canal. Trump allies have framed those moves as part of a renewed effort to restore American dominance in the hemisphere.

For now, the administration has not announced a final decision. But the positioning of U.S. forces in the Caribbean signals that Washington is preparing for a range of options should Trump decide that Cuba’s Communist regime has become an unacceptable threat on America’s doorstep.

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