The United States has intensified its aerial intelligence operations in recent weeks in the Florida Straits, very close to Cuba.
Long flights of spy planes such as the Poseidon P-8A and the RC-135 have been detected on trajectories parallel to the northern coast of Cuba, while secrecy in Washington about the true objective of these missions continues to grow.
A former U.S. intelligence officer has provided insights into what the Pentagon might be seeking with this sustained deployment.
“It is a greater scope of intelligence gathering. There is a national interest involved”, stated Jesús Daniel Romero, a military analyst and former intelligence officer of the United States, in remarks to Telemundo 51.
Although he does not have access to classified information, Romero has explained that the flight patterns and capabilities of the aircraft used indicate specific missions for military, logistical, and human monitoring over the island.
Intelligence aircraft over the Caribbean: what has been detected
Between the night of Thursday, February 5, and the morning of Friday, February 6, a P-8A Poseidon, based in Jacksonville, Florida, spent almost nine hours flying over the Florida Strait, on a repetitive trajectory between the Keys and the Cuban coast.
This model is designed for long-range patrols, maritime surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare, but it is also used for intelligence gathering.
On that same Friday, starting at 1:30 in the afternoon, another flight was recorded to the north of the island, this time an RC-135, a highly specialized airborne platform for intercepting signals and communications.
The plane traveled a path from east to west for almost two hours, covering the entire Cuban coastline.
Both aircraft are equipped with technology to intercept military communications, enemy radar data, and troop movements from long distances, without the need to enter Cuban airspace.
What are they exactly monitoring?
According to Romero, the objective is not limited to routine aerial observation, but rather aims for a continuous assessment of the Cuban military apparatus and its recent movements.
“See what Díaz-Canel is doing regarding the brigade units... what aerial activities... how many flights... how long they are flying”, the analyst notes while describing the type of information that U.S. forces might be gathering.
The specialist also mentions that the collection includes data on command and control communications, essential for understanding whether there are rearrangements in the chain of command or the preparation of special forces on the island.
“There is no other way to understand what is happening if daily information is not gathered that includes military communications, command and control communications”, he asserts.
Fear of a massive exodus
In addition to the strictly military component, Romero speculates that one of the major concerns of the United States government is the risk of a massive outflow of Cubans by sea, similar to previous episodes such as the Mariel boatlift (1980) or the Balsero Crisis (1994).
"They are trying to determine whether there is a possibility of a mass exodus, based on what is happening right now in Cuba. That is precisely what the Trump administration wants to avoid," he added.
The sustained economic decline, the collapse of the energy system, the shortage of food, and the rising social unrest are causing concern in the White House about a potential destabilization that could trigger uncontrolled waves of migration towards the shores of Florida.
Rising tension and military maneuvers
Surveillance operations appear to have increased after President Donald Trump declared Cuba a national security threat, a designation that allows him to expand his latitude without the need for legislative approval.
At the same time, the Cuban regime has responded with defiant rhetoric and internal military exercises, according to local reports.
Although no direct incidents have occurred, the context suggests a phase of mutual alertness and constant vigilance.
The presence of the destroyer USS Stockdale has even been detected in Caribbean waters, reinforcing the message that Washington is closely monitoring both the military and social situation on the island.
Official silence in Washington
When asked by Telemundo 51 whether these flights are part of a broader military operation or if specific actions are planned, the White House refrained from responding directly.
“The president has many options to protect the country”, a spokesperson replied, adding that they would not comment on any option that Trump may or may not be considering.
Silence has been interpreted as part of a strategy of deliberate ambiguity, where strength is projected without signaling commitments to future diplomatic or military moves.
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