American General: We are not preparing for the invasion of Cuba

But the United States is willing to address any threat to the American Embassy, defend their base in Guantànamo Bay, Cuba, and assist the American government's efforts to address any massive migration from the island, if necessary, said General Francis Donovan, head of the US South Command.

Donova's remarks came during a hearing session in the Senate focused on the increasingly muscular use of the American Army in Latin America by President Donald Trump, where his administration has reaffirmed the idea that the region falls in Washington's influence zone, is broadcasting Telegrafi.

Trump has launched military attacks on suspected drug ships and is expanding narcotics alliances with pro-Washington governments in Latin America, even conducting joint operations with Ecuador on the ground there earlier this month.

In January, US Special Forces captured then Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, in a raid on his complex in Caracas and took him to New York to face charges of drug trafficking.

Donovan, who was number 2 at Special Operations Command at the time of capture, made an unexpected visit to Venezuela for security talks last month, shortly after taking over the post of Latin America.

Trump said on Monday he expected to take Cuba “in a way” and that “can do whatever I want with the neighbouring country, located about 180km south of Key West Florida. But so far, US efforts seem to be aimed at creating an economic impact on the island.

Trump has exerted tremendous economic pressure on Cuba by banning all Venezuelan oil shipments to the island, which has been forced to carry out heavy power rations.

Most of his economy has stopped. On Monday, Cuba's electricity grid collapsed, leaving the country with 10 million people without electricity.

Asked whether the U.S. were conducting any military evidence involving invasion, invasion or deployment of Cuba, Donovan said: “South US Command does not.”

Then he was asked if he knew about any American military command doing this, and Donovan replied: “Jo”

Questions about the future steps of the US come as Cuba and the United States have opened talks aimed at improving their largely unfavourable relations, which have reached one of the most controversial moments in the 67 years since Fidel Castro overturned what had been a close US ally.

At the hearing session, Donovan noted that the Guantànamo Bay had suffered storm damage and needed new investments, along with other countries in the Caribbean that American officials have long said suffered from lack of investment over the past two decades, when the focus of the American Army was on fighting militant groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

I won't give you any criticism, it's in bad shape. Because of the hurricane's damage, we have only one functional wharf and a gas plant. I believe that (the basis) is a key point for each operation in the Caribbean”, Donova told Guantanamo Bay.

Donovan said that the National Security Department, which oversees the U.S. Coast Guard, will be at the head of every massive migration event from Cuba, which experts have long warned that a fall of the communist government in Havana could follow. But he left open the possibility of setting up a camp in Guantànamo Bay for any influx of immigrants.

Asked what the American forces were prepared to do if there was a security threat for Americans in Cuba, Donovan replied: “If this were developed in a physical security threat to the American Embassy or the base in Gitmo, we would place American troops to protect American lives”.