ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Soviet military operations and intentions in the region. It shows that the maneuvers have focused upon Cuba and have involved both providing for the island's security and using it as a base of operations. The chapter demonstrates the relationship between Cuba and Grenada by showing that this development is consistent with previous Soviet operations in other areas. Soviet military activity has included deploying groups of Soviet naval combatants, constructing a naval facility at Cienfuegos, staging Soviet naval aircraft and detailing elements of the Soviet Air Force to the island, delivering arms and stationing a brigade. Soviet Army personnel have been stationed in Cuba since before the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The United States discovery of Soviet medium- and long-range ballistic missiles in October led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviets have drastically increased their support for Caribbean and Latin American national liberation movements.
