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The naval presence of the United States in the Caribbean continues to strengthen, and according to the updated map as of February 12, at least two major units of the U.S. Navy remain deployed in the region, amid a context of high geopolitical tension and increasing strategic pressure on Cuba.
The most striking fact for Havana is the presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in the Caribbean area, under the command of the 4th Fleet. This is the most modern and advanced aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, leading a new generation of ships designed to project air, naval, and electronic power on a global scale.
On the deployment map of attack groups and amphibious groups of the U.S. Navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford is explicitly identified as "Caribbean, 4th Fleet," confirming that its presence is not incidental, but part of a structured operation within the regional theater.
The USS Gerald R. Ford: Next Generation Technology
The CVN-78 is the first aircraft carrier of the Ford class, designed to progressively replace the Nimitz class. It features an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), state-of-the-art radars, and increased electrical generation capacity for future directed energy weapons.
It can operate dozens of aircraft—including carrier-based fighters, early warning planes, and helicopters—and is designed to sustain continuous operations over extended periods.
Its mere presence in the Caribbean represents an unprecedented military projection capability in the vicinity of Cuba compared to previous years.
Although Washington frames these deployments within the operation Southern Spear, aimed at intercepting sanctioned vessels and reinforcing maritime control, the presence of an aircraft carrier of this caliber sends an unequivocal strategic signal in the current regional scenario.
Amphibious group in the area: The USS Iwo Jima
The second relevant element in the Caribbean is the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), identified on the map as part of the amphibious group under SOUTHCOM and also linked to the 4th Fleet.
The USS Iwo Jima is an amphibious assault ship capable of transporting Marines, vehicles, helicopters, and vertical takeoff aircraft. It is designed for landing operations, evacuation, humanitarian assistance, or rapid response actions.
The combination of a Ford-class aircraft carrier and an operational amphibious group in the same region is not a minor detail. From a military perspective, it signifies the simultaneous availability of:
- Long-range airborne capability.
- Projection of ground forces from the sea.
- Enhanced maritime control in the western Caribbean.
An increasingly strategic Caribbean
This deployment occurs simultaneously with the intensification of maritime interdictions against the so-called "dark fleet" transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela to Cuba, as well as the recent reconfiguration of the regional political landscape following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
The presence of these naval units in the Caribbean reinforces U.S. control over the key maritime routes connecting the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Strait, and the Antillean archipelago.
Although there are no official reports indicating incursions into Cuban territorial waters — which extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline according to UNCLOS — the proximity of high-tonnage military vessels with offensive capabilities increases strategic pressure on Havana.
For the Cuban regime, which heavily relies on external energy supplies, maritime control in the region takes on a critical dimension. The combination of sanctions, naval interdictions, and the presence of high-tech units significantly shifts the balance of power in the Caribbean.
In practical terms, the image presented by the map as of February 12 is clear: the United States maintains a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier and a fully operational amphibious group in the Caribbean, situated close to Cuban territory, reinforcing a phase of heightened monitoring and military deterrence in the region.
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