Cuban Missile Crisis

1. Introduction

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day (October 16-28, 1962) confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba.

2. Background

• Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 1961): A failed U.S.-backed attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. This event pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union and solidified Castro's distrust of the U.S.

• U.S. Jupiter Missiles in Turkey: The U.S. had placed nuclear-armed Jupiter missiles in Turkey, close to the Soviet border, making the USSR feel vulnerable.

• Cuba-Soviet Alliance: Following the Bay of Pigs, Fidel Castro sought greater security guarantees from the Soviet Union, leading to a secret agreement to deploy Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.

3. Discovery of Missiles

• U-2 Spy Plane Footage: On October 14, 1962, a U.S. U-2 spy plane photographed sites in Cuba where intermediate-range and medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs and IRBMs) were being installed by the Soviet Union. These missiles were capable of reaching most of the continental U.S. within minutes.

• Verification: Subsequent flights confirmed the presence of missile launch sites, as well as Soviet bombers and cruise missiles.

4. U.S. Response (The 13 Days)

• ExComm Formation: President John F. Kennedy established a group of advisors, the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm), to deliberate on response options.

• Options Considered:

  • Invasion: A full-scale military invasion of Cuba to remove the missiles and potentially Castro.

  • Air Strike: A limited air strike to destroy the missile sites.

  • Naval Blockade (Quarantine): A naval