U.S. Marines conducted maritime interdiction exercises this Saturday in the Caribbean Sea, including a fast roping descent from a UH-1Y Venom helicopter onto the amphibious ship USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), as part of a tactical drill within Operation Southern Spear.
According to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the operation aims to combat illegal activities in the region and is carried out in coordination with U.S. civil agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice.
The exercises take place during a period of political tension between Washington and Havana, amidst an increased pressure from the U.S. government on Cuba and the lack of a formal channel for bilateral dialogue, according to recent statements.
In recent months, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has publicly criticized the presence and actions of U.S. forces in the Caribbean, denouncing what he described as a threat to regional peace, according to press reports.
The material released about the exercise describes a maneuver in which a tactical team and Marines descend from a UH-1Y Venom during a maritime interception exercise aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale in the Caribbean.
SOUTHCOM has linked these actions to interdiction and maritime security operations under Southern Spear, presenting them as part of an effort to dismantle illicit networks in the Western Hemisphere.
In January 2026, the Command reaffirmed its commitment to the security of the Western Hemisphere through Operation Southern Spear, a military strategy aimed at strengthening the U.S. presence in the Caribbean and sending a warning message to governments in the region such as those of Cuba and Venezuela.
In a statement, the agency emphasized that the deployed forces were acting under the directives of President Donald Trump and the Department of War, with the aim of disrupting drug trafficking and countering the influence of actors deemed hostile in the area.
In early February, Washington confirmed the continuation of a significant naval deployment in the Caribbean, led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and several amphibious assault ships such as the USS Iwo Jima, the USS San Antonio, and the USS Fort Lauderdale.
According to the authorities, the operation aims to intercept vessels from the so-called “dark fleet,” involved in illicit activities and the transportation of sanctioned oil from Venezuela to Cuba.
The Department of Defense emphasized that the measure is part of the defense policy of the Western Hemisphere and the Trump administration's priority to secure the region against transnational threats.
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