BEIJING: China on Thursday voiced opposition to any potential United States military action against Cuba after reports that the Pentagon was considering plans for possible operations against the Caribbean island.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian was responding to a CBS News report that Pentagon planners were considering a range of military options, including an army-led air assault involving thousands of US troops.
Lin Jian said Beijing opposed the use or threat of force in international relations.
“We noted relevant reports. The use, or threat, of force in international relations seriously violates the UN Charter and endangers global and regional peace and security,” Lin told a regular news briefing in Beijing, according to China’s state news agency Xinhua and broadcaster CGTN.
“China firmly opposes it,” he added.
U.S. military is reported to have explored possible action against #Cuba. China firmly opposes the use and threat of force in international relations, which seriously violates the UN Charter and endangers global and regional peace and security. China continues to stand firmly… pic.twitter.com/7xI7758Rh2
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) July 16, 2026
Lin also urged Washington to end military threats and the longstanding US blockade against Cuba.
“The US needs to immediately stop its military threats and any form of blockade against Cuba,” he said.
“China will continue its firm support to Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and opposing external interference.”
Pentagon reviewing military options
The Chinese remarks followed a CBS News report that the Pentagon had examined various military options for possible action against Cuba.
According to the CBS News report, several US officials familiar with the discussions said one scenario involved an army-led air assault by the 101st Airborne Division, the only US military unit specifically trained for such an operation.
The officials stressed, however, that the contingency planning did not mean President Donald Trump or the Pentagon had decided to launch military action.
CBS News reported that the Pentagon held a concept-of-operations briefing last month to evaluate preliminary military options, including possible mission objectives, troop requirements and logistical planning.
According to the report, any US military operation against Cuba would face significant operational challenges because substantial American military resources remain committed to ongoing operations involving Iran.
Aircraft, intelligence assets and other capabilities have already been redeployed to the Middle East, making military action against Cuba unlikely in the near term, US officials told CBS News.
