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The United States confirmed that it continues to deploy a powerful naval force in the Caribbean, led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28).
The operation, named Operation Southern Spear, aims to intercept and stop vessels from the so-called "dark fleet," linked to illicit activities and hostile actors in the region, as reported by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Washington emphasized that this action is part of President Donald Trump's priority to protect U.S. territory and secure the Western Hemisphere, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State, and the Department of Justice.
American forces under Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) continue to patrol the Caribbean, reaffirming the military and deterrent capability of the U.S. against any attempts at illegal trafficking or cooperation with sanctioned regimes in the region.
On January 26, the Southern Command reported that U.S. military forces intercepted several sanctioned vessels involved in illegal oil transport operations in the Caribbean.
According to the statement, the tankers were captured "without incident" while operating in a network aimed at evading sanctions and financing narco-terrorists and malign actors.
The text reaffirmed that the Department of Defense, along with other federal agencies, "is committed to stopping all tankers from the 'dark fleet' that operate in defiance of the quarantine established by President Trump on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean."
Southern Command clarified that these actions are part of the same operation, carried out with the participation of the U.S. Navy, the Fourth Fleet Command (NAVSO/US4THFLT), the Marine Corps (USMC), and Southern Forces Command (MARFORSOUTH), under direct orders from the White House.
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