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The nuclear aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) will dock at the Port of Kingston, Jamaica, from June 1 to June 5, as the final stop of the multinational operation Southern Seas 2026, as announced by the United States Embassy in that country.
This is the 11th edition of the exercise, organized since 2007 by the U.S. 4th Fleet under Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The deployment has taken the Nimitz strike group—accompanied by the destroyer USS Gridley (DDG-101), Carrier Air Wing 17, and the supply ship USNS Patuxent—through South America and the Caribbean, with stops in Brazil, Chile, and Panama before arriving in Jamaica.
The Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Scott Renner, described the visit as a "significant milestone in the enduring partnership between our countries" and emphasized that, beyond strengthening maritime cooperation and regional security, it "creates opportunities for meaningful connections between people and economic benefits for local communities."
The agenda will include exchanges with experts, observation of flight operations by Jamaican officials, members of the Jamaica Defence Force, and university students, as well as school beautification projects and sports activities with local youth.
The deployment of the Nimitz to the Caribbean occurs in a context of high tension between Washington and Havana. The aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean on May 20, and during its transit, hosted delegations from Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada to observe operations.
The president Donald Trump denied that the deployment of the Nimitz was intended to intimidate Cuba. "No, not at all," he replied when asked directly, adding that the intention was to "help them."
However, weeks earlier, Trump had threatened to send an aircraft carrier "within 100 yards" of the Cuban coast to force the regime's surrender, a threat he reiterated on May 5 conditioned on the end of the conflict with Iran.
The State Department attempted to reduce tension on May 12, stating that Trump "would prefer a diplomatic solution" with Cuba.
In parallel, SOUTHCOM has intensified its operations in the region: over 150 hours of aerial surveillance over Cuba using P-8A Poseidon, RC-135V, and MQ-4C Triton aircraft, and the deployment of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit with more than 1,300 personnel since May 30 under Operation Southern Lance.
The Nimitz is the oldest active nuclear aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy, with more than 51 years of service since its commissioning on May 3, 1975. The Navy had planned to retire it in May 2026, but in March, it extended its operational life until March 2027, awaiting the delivery of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79).
This Caribbean cruise is considered its final operational deployment before its decommissioning.
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