The U.S. military is preparing to expand migrant facilities at the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base to prepare for the anticipated arrival of Cuban refugees fleeing oppression from the Communist regime.
Southern Command chief Gen. Francis L. Donovan said the Pentagon told the Senate during testimony that the Pentagon has standing orders to support the Department of Homeland Security in a “mass migration event.”
The plan is to establish a large camp at Guantánamo to process Cuban illegal immigrants intercepted at sea or on American soil.
The general explained that the military is prepared to “set up a camp to deal with those migrants or any overflow from any situation in Cuba itself,” in case the nation’s political and economic crisis triggers a mass exodus.
🚨Breaking: Large-scale protests have erupted across Cuba against the country’s communist government amid worsening economic conditions, as President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio push for closer U.S. involvement.pic.twitter.com/YsTxp9fy7U
— Red Line News (@RedLineNewsUSA) March 14, 2026
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned that state officials are also bracing for an influx of Cuban refugees as the situation on the island deteriorates. ”We don’t want to see a massive armada of people showing up on the shores of the Florida Keys,” he said.
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The governor explained that Florida is coordinating with the Trump administration and drafting contingency plans to protect coastal communities and prevent a repeat of chaotic migration surges like the 1980 Mariel boatlift.
As Trump-Rubio impose an oil blockade, Florida governor warns of a "possible mass exodus out of Cuba"
— Erik Sperling (@ErikSperling) March 19, 2026
"[W]e don’t want to see a massive armada of people showing up on the shores of the Florida Keys."
Says Trump officials "do not want to see [migration] from Cuba to Florida" https://t.co/9UJ1UZi0G2 pic.twitter.com/2rrRwcekpq
These developments come as Cuba faces its worst crisis since the 1990s “Special Period,” which saw severe shortages, blackouts, and growing unrest in the streets.
Millions of Cubans were left without electricity after the island’s grid collapsed, which some have blamed on the Trump administration escalating economic pressure tactics. The White House instituted a blockade on oil shipments to the nation.
Third day of protests in Cuba amid humanitarian collapse after US oil blockade
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 15, 2026
Demonstrations continue as massive power outages hit the island — in some areas electricity is cut for up to 15 hours a day — along with growing food shortages.
In the city of Morón, protesters… pic.twitter.com/WZf850qzMj
Yet, many Cubans are pointing the finger at the Communist regime, staging protests in the streets. Protesters have been vandalizing Communist Party offices while shouting “Libertad” (liberty).
President Trump has stated on multiple occasions that he could consider taking over the country. However, his administration is currently trying to negotiate with the regime. U.S. officials have proposed a deal that would relax some trade and financial restrictions on Cuba in exchange for political concessions — including regime change.
