The Vice President of the Puerto Rican Senate, Carmelo Ríos Santiago, halted a public hearing on Wednesday concerning the future of the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba. This decision came after he disclosed having received classified information suggesting that Puerto Rico might be used as a support platform for a potential U.S. military operation in Cuba, related to an arrest warrant for Raúl Castro.
According to Puerto Rican newspaper El Vocero, the senator, also the chairman of the Federal Relations Commission, was clear before adjourning the session of the Commission on Federal Relations and the People's Mandate for Status Solution. He mentioned unauthorized movement regarding the arrest warrant for Raúl Castro and the possibility of Puerto Rico, similar to its past role concerning Nicolás Maduro, serving as a support base. "We want a broader understanding of the information," Ríos Santiago asserted.
Ríos Santiago drew a direct comparison to the role he claims Roosevelt Roads played before the capture of the Venezuelan leader in January 2026, emphasizing that these events are "beyond our control and jurisdiction." He also noted that, based on President Trump's directives, there might be some involvement with Cuba, and they intend to respect that directive.
The hearing was set to discuss Senate Resolution 286, co-authored by Ríos Santiago and Senator Nitza Morán Trinidad, which calls for assessing the feasibility of repurposing the base for U.S. military national security purposes.
Upon receiving this sensitive information, leaders of the involved committees decided to suspend proceedings and excused invited witnesses, including the Secretary of Economic Development, Carlos J. Ríos Pierluisi, and the Mayor of Ceiba, Samuel Rivera Báez.
Further investigation will proceed with a site visit to the facilities scheduled for November 6, preceded by an executive meeting to review any new information from the Department of Defense or the DDEC.
Senator Morán Trinidad supported the decision, stating, "It's important to understand what's happening and how it impacts Puerto Rico. This resolution gives us the grounds to further investigate how the Roosevelt Roads base will be used."
The senator's statements emerge amid ongoing tensions. Closed in 2004 after protests against its use of Vieques as a bombing range, Roosevelt Roads was reactivated in November 2025 with a projected investment of $79 million.
Between May and August of this year, over 8,100 soldiers conducted drills on the island as part of the Southern Lance Operation by the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Additionally, the Puerto Rican government signed an agreement with the Navy for logistical use of the base alongside facilities in Ramey and Muñiz.
The legal backdrop includes a federal judge in Miami issuing an arrest warrant on October 16 against the 95-year-old Raúl Castro for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder related to the February 24, 1996, downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes, which resulted in four deaths.
The Cuban regime dismissed the accusations, with Díaz-Canel labeling it a "pathetic Miami circus" and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez calling it an "infamous and fruitless act."
This Saturday, it was also reported that Trump vowed no Castro would remain in power by the end of his term, setting a "two-and-a-half-year" deadline and referencing Maduro's capture as a precedent, though he has not formally announced any military operation.
Key Questions About Potential U.S. Military Operations in Cuba
Why is Puerto Rico considered as a support base for U.S. military action in Cuba?
Puerto Rico's strategic location and its historical use as a military base make it a viable option for supporting U.S. operations, particularly due to its proximity to Cuba and past involvement in similar situations.
What is the significance of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base?
The Roosevelt Roads Naval Base has been pivotal in U.S. military operations, providing logistical support and serving as a training ground. Its reactivation signals its ongoing strategic importance.
How has the Cuban government responded to the arrest warrant for Raúl Castro?
The Cuban government has strongly rejected the warrant, with officials dismissing it as politically motivated and illegitimate, seeking to undermine the Cuban leadership.