Editing Operation Northwoods (section)

==Proposed Actions==
The Operation Northwoods documents outlined a variety of deceptive and provocative scenarios, many of which involved staged or fabricated acts of violence. Key proposals included:

	1	Staged Terrorist Attacks in the U.S:
	◦	Conducting bombings in major U.S. cities, such as Washington, D.C., or Miami, targeting civilians or infrastructure.
	◦	Blaming Cuban agents or sympathizers for the attacks to incite public outrage.
	◦	Using fake evidence, such as forged documents or planted communist propaganda, to link the incidents to Cuba.

	2	Attacks on Cuban Exiles:
	◦	Staging violent attacks on Cuban exile communities in Florida, such as assassinations or bombings, to make it appear that Castro’s forces were targeting anti-communist Cubans in the U.S.
	◦	This would inflame anti-Cuban sentiment among Cuban-Americans and the broader public.

	3	Sinking a U.S. Ship:
	◦	Destroying a U.S. Navy vessel in Guantanamo Bay or nearby waters, either by remote detonation or simulated attack, and attributing the sinking to Cuban forces.
	◦	Conducting a mock funeral for “victims” to generate media coverage and public sympathy, reminiscent of the USS Maine incident that spurred the Spanish-American War in 1898.

	4	Staged Aircraft Incidents:
	◦	Hijacking or shooting down a civilian or military aircraft and blaming Cuba. One specific plan involved:
	▪	Using a drone aircraft painted to resemble a commercial airliner, which would be remotely flown and destroyed.
	▪	A real civilian plane would be swapped with the drone, with passengers (potentially actors or fictitious identities) safely evacuated to create the illusion of a passenger tragedy.
	◦	Alternatively, staging an attack on a U.S. military plane over international waters and claiming it was a Cuban MiG attack.

	5	Provocations at Guantanamo Bay:
	◦	Staging attacks on the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, including blowing up ammunition depots or staging mortar attacks by “Cuban” forces (actually U.S. operatives).
	◦	Capturing fake Cuban saboteurs to provide evidence of Cuban hostility.

	6	Propaganda and Disinformation:
	◦	Disseminating fabricated stories through U.S. media about Cuban atrocities, such as attacks on refugees or fictional massacres.
	◦	Using radio signals mimicking Cuban broadcasts to spread false information or claim responsibility for staged attacks.

	7	Involving Allies or Neutral Parties:
	◦	Staging an incident in the Caribbean, such as sinking a ship carrying Cuban refugees or attacking a friendly nation like Jamaica, to frame Cuba and draw other countries into the conflict.

The plans emphasized plausible deniability and the use of covert operatives, fake documentation, and controlled media narratives to ensure the incidents appeared authentic. Some scenarios even suggested minimal loss of life, while others acknowledged potential civilian casualties as collateral damage.
Ethical and Legal Implications

Operation Northwoods proposed actions that were ethically and legally problematic, including:

	•	Deliberately endangering or sacrificing American lives (military or civilian) to achieve political goals.
	•	Fabricating evidence and manipulating public opinion through propaganda.
	•	Violating international law by staging attacks on neutral or allied nations.
	•	Undermining democratic principles by deceiving the American public and Congress.

The proposals reflect a willingness within certain military circles to prioritize geopolitical objectives over moral and legal constraints, raising questions about the extent of unchecked power in covert planning during the Cold War.


The Joint Chiefs of Staff unanimously approved Operation Northwoods, indicating high-level military support for the proposals. The plans were submitted to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in March 1962. However, President John F. Kennedy, who was briefed on the operation, rejected it outright. Kennedy’s decision was likely influenced by his skepticism of military overreach following the Bay of Pigs fiasco, as well as his reluctance to escalate tensions with the Soviet Union during a volatile period. Kennedy’s rejection led to tensions with General Lemnitzer, who was later reassigned to a NATO post.