The waters of the Caribbean are under surveillance and will not be a permissive space for malicious actors, criminal networks, or vessels that violate international sanctions. This was stated by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in a public warning that reinforces the U.S. military presence in the region and increases pressure on governments such as that of Cuba.
In a post shared on the social network X, SOUTHCOM stated that its elite joint forces, deployed in the Caribbean, are prepared to act swiftly and decisively, as they have done before, intercepting any vessel involved in illegal activities or challenging the sanctions imposed by Washington.
The message emphasizes that the Department of Defense maintains a firm stance in its mission to combat transnational crime, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice.
The warning is part of Operation Southern Spear, also known as Lanza del Sur, a military strategy that has intensified in recent months and directly responds to President Donald Trump's priorities to protect U.S. territory and ensure the security of the Western Hemisphere. Under this operation, units from the Navy, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force patrol strategic areas in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
Although the statement does not explicitly mention countries, the regional context is hard to ignore. Washington has repeatedly linked the regimes of Havana and Caracas with smuggling networks, drug trafficking, and the use of the so-called "dark fleet," a network of ships that transport sanctioned oil, mostly of Venezuelan origin, to destinations like Cuba. These vessels often sail with their transponders turned off or with false registrations to evade international detection.
In recent weeks, the United States has confirmed the interception of several tankers linked to these illegal operations, captured without incident by U.S. forces in the Caribbean. The Department of Defense has made it clear that the maritime offensive is neither isolated nor symbolic, but rather part of a sustained policy aimed at cutting off the funding routes of sanctioned regimes and criminal organizations.
The military deployment includes highly deterrent assets, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ships, which have played a significant role in maritime interdiction exercises and tactical maneuvers amidst the political tension with the Cuban regime.
From Havana, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has denounced these actions as a threat to regional peace, while the island is experiencing an unprecedented economic and social crisis.
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