International Law and the United States Cuban Quarantine of 1962

Abstract

In carrying out this order [“Interdiction of the Delivery of Offensive Weapons to Cuba“], force shall not be used except in case of failure or refusal to comply with directions, or with regulations or directives of the Secretary of Defense after reasonable efforts have been made to communicate them to the vessel or craft, or in case of self-defense. In any case, force shall be used only to the extent necessary.President KennedyOn October 16, 1962, the President of the United States — the late President Kennedy — was informed of the results of aerial surveillance of Cuba: missiles with a definite “offensive” capability were being prepared for launching! Six days later, on October 22, in an evening radio and television address to the nation, President Kennedy presented, in no mistakable terms, the new military threat to the United States posed by Cuba, and announced actions to be taken that were equally unequivocal and dramatic.