The U.S. Southern Command released images this Monday showcasing Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting air maneuvers over the Caribbean Sea, including takeoff and landing procedures and air-to-air refueling.
The photos, shared on SOUTHCOM's X account, featured a KC-130J Super Hercules from the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 253 and a V-22 Osprey—a tiltrotor aircraft combining helicopter and airplane capabilities—engaged in a tactical night operation.
SOUTHCOM framed these maneuvers as part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign led by the Department of Defense aimed at disrupting illegal drug trafficking, deterring hostile actors, and safeguarding the U.S. mainland through continuous presence.
Increased Military Activity in the Caribbean
These exercises are the latest in a series of operations that Washington has ramped up in the Caribbean throughout 2026, with Cuba consistently in the backdrop.
On May 29, over 1,300 Marines deployed to the Caribbean took on their role as Littoral Combat Force-24 (LCF-24), replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit under the command of Colonel Ryan Lynch, operating from Puerto Rico and aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale.
That same day, General Francis L. Donovan, head of the Southern Command, met with Cuban General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, First Deputy Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, in what international media described as an unusual encounter, which both parties referred to as "positive."
Rapid Response Demonstrations Near Cuba
On June 4, Marines conducted fast-rope insertion exercises from a UH-1Y Venom helicopter at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, showcasing rapid assault capabilities just a few miles from Cuban territory.
The peak of military rhetoric came on June 10, when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Guantanamo for a second time and declared the so-called "Donroe Doctrine," stating, "The Monroe Doctrine is not only alive; the Roosevelt Corollary is still valid, and now we have the Donroe Doctrine. We are reclaiming our hemisphere."
Hegseth also issued a stern warning to the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel, saying, "It would be unwise for the Cuban government to attempt to acquire or gain access to weapon systems capable of reaching this base or the U.S. mainland. They would be inviting a confrontation they neither want nor can withstand."
Concerns Over Cuban Military Acquisitions
The escalation partially responds to an intelligence report released by Axios in May, indicating that Cuba had acquired over 300 military drones from Russia and Iran since 2023, with discussions on scenarios to use them against Guantanamo, military vessels, and possibly Key West.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer González-Colón confirmed last Thursday that more than 8,100 soldiers would be conducting exercises on the island between May and August 2026. She warned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio's actions should be interpreted "as an ultimatum," adding that "July could be an excellent month to see it."
Hegseth summed up Washington's stance with a phrase that defines the tone of the moment: "What happens with the future of Cuba is in the hands of the President of the United States and the leadership of Cuba. Whatever happens, the Department of Defense will be ready and positioned for any possible eventuality."
Key Questions About U.S. Military Operations in the Caribbean
What is Operation Southern Spear?
Operation Southern Spear is a campaign led by the U.S. Department of Defense with goals to disrupt illegal drug trafficking, deter hostile entities, and protect the U.S. mainland through continuous military presence.
Why is the U.S. increasing military exercises in the Caribbean?
The U.S. has ramped up military exercises in the Caribbean to address concerns over illegal activities, potential hostile threats, and to maintain security in the region, with a specific focus on the strategic backdrop of Cuba.
How has Cuba responded to U.S. military activities?
Cuba's response to U.S. military activities has been cautious, especially given recent reports of increased military acquisitions from Russia and Iran, which have raised concerns about potential confrontations.