143. Editorial Note
On January 17, 1962, the intelligence community issued Special National Intelligence Estimate 80-62, which sought to estimate the threat to U.S. security interests in the Caribbean area over the next two decades. [Page 349] Regarding the possible establishment of a hostile military presence, the estimate stated the following: “Cuba and any other Caribbean state which fell under Communist control could be used by the USSR as areas in which to establish missile, submarine, or air bases, designed to bring North America under attack or to add to the deterrents to any conceivable US military action in the Caribbean or elsewhere. On the whole, we believe the establishment of such Soviet bases is unlikely for some time to come. Their military and psychological value, in Soviet eyes, would probably not be great enough to override the risks involved.” For text, see Foreign Relations, 1961–1963, volume X, pages 706–709.