The State Department has started deploying personnel to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Miami, in anticipation of potential confrontations with Cuba, as reported by Axios this Thursday following the new sanctions announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This move coincides with Washington's tightening measures against the Cuban regime. On Thursday, Rubio announced sanctions against the military conglomerate GAESA, its director Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, and the mining company Moa Nickel S.A., under an executive order signed by Donald Trump on May 1. This order targets those deemed responsible for repression in Cuba and threats to U.S. national security.
In addition to the personnel deployment, the State Department is also bolstering its disaster preparedness supply center in South Florida. The initiative involves integrating civilian advisors at SOUTHCOM facilities, described by officials as part of a new humanitarian and contingency strategy.
Signs of Escalation in U.S.-Cuba Relations
Indications of a possible escalation extend beyond these measures. Last Tuesday, Rubio led the 2026 Chiefs of Mission Conference at SOUTHCOM headquarters in Doral, Florida. During the event, the Southern Command shared an image of the Secretary of State shaking hands with General Francis L. Donovan in front of a prominent map of Cuba, with the slogan "Peace Through Strength!" displayed on a screen.
In a subsequent press briefing, Rubio acknowledged that the meeting with the Southern Command "related to something with Cuba," although he refrained from providing specifics on the discussions.
During the same conference, the U.S. Chief of Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, also met with Admiral Adam Chamie, commander of the Southeast District of the Coast Guard.
Impact of New Sanctions on Cuba's Economy
Concerning the new sanctions, Rubio described GAESA as "the heart of Cuba's communist kleptocratic system," claiming it controls between 40% and 70% of the island's formal economy, including hotels, ports, remittances, and foreign trade.
As for Moa Nickel S.A., he asserted that the company "has exploited Cuba's natural resources to benefit the regime at the expense of the Cuban people" and "profits from assets originally expropriated by the Cuban regime from U.S. citizens and corporations."
The impact of these measures was swift. Canadian company Sherritt International, a partner of Moa Nickel S.A., announced the suspension of its operations in Cuba and the repatriation of its expatriate staff. This decision deprives the regime of its primary foreign mining partner and could affect 10% to 15% of the island's electricity generation capacity.
Broader Offensive Against Havana
Rubio framed the sanctions as part of a broader offensive against Havana. "Just 90 miles from U.S. shores, the Cuban regime has ruined the island and auctioned it off as a platform for foreign intelligence, military, and terrorist operations," he stated.
Neither Trump nor Rubio has ruled out possible military action. The president threatened on Monday to deploy the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the Cuban coast and reiterated the warning the next day in a television interview.
Since January 2026, Washington has imposed over 240 sanctions against the Cuban regime and intercepted at least seven tankers linked to the island's energy supply, reducing fuel imports by 80% to 90%, according to figures cited by the U.S. administration.
Rubio hinted that the pressure will continue to escalate. "You can expect additional designations in the coming days and weeks," he warned.
Understanding the U.S. Strategy on Cuba
What prompted the U.S. to send personnel to SOUTHCOM?
The U.S. sent personnel to SOUTHCOM in response to potential hostilities with Cuba, following new sanctions targeting key entities within the Cuban regime.
Who are the main entities affected by the new U.S. sanctions?
The sanctions primarily target GAESA, its director Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, and Moa Nickel S.A., as they are believed to play significant roles in supporting the Cuban regime.
How have the sanctions impacted Cuba's economy?
The sanctions led to Sherritt International suspending operations in Cuba, affecting the island's mining sector and potentially reducing its electricity generation capacity by 10% to 15%.