The U.S. Southern Command released a photo on Tuesday depicting a marine from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, part of the Littoral Combat Force-24, firing an M4 rifle during a skills assessment at the Joint Training Center Camp Santiago in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
This image, captured on September 22, was shared on the official Southern Command account on X with the tagline: "Ready and on a mission."
The Southern Command clarified that their forces are operating "in support of the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force, under operations led by the Department of Defense, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors, and protect the homeland."
Although Cuba wasn't mentioned in the post, it surfaces amidst a continuous escalation of military and political pressure from Washington towards Havana.
Continuous Military Exercises
The photograph is part of an ongoing series of exercises conducted by the 3/2 at Camp Santiago since summer. In recent weeks, the battalion has engaged in live-fire exercises with 60mm mortars, utilized FPV Neros Archer drones, tested anti-armor systems, and practiced landing maneuvers with MV-22B Osprey aircraft.
In mid-June, Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer González-Colón announced that more than 8,100 troops had conducted exercises on the island between May and August.
Strategic Deployments in the Caribbean
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit—operating as Littoral Combat Force-24—took on its mission in the Caribbean on May 29 with over 1,300 Marines and sailors under Colonel Ryan Lynch's command aboard the USS Fort Lauderdale.
On August 4, the Southern Command officially activated the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force with a declared mission to combat drug cartels and narco-terrorist networks in coordination with a coalition of 18 countries.
This deployment aligns with increasing pressure from the Trump administration on the Cuban regime.
Political and Military Maneuvering
In January, Trump signed an executive order labeling the Cuban government's policies as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security, and by May, he claimed the U.S. would "almost immediately take Cuba."
On September 25, CBS News leaked an internal Army document evaluating the readiness of reserve units for Southern Command within 90 to 120 days, though the document did not mention Cuba nor constituted a deployment order.
Trump himself ruled out immediate military action on September 26, stating he preferred "a deal." Shortly after, Southern Command's head, General Francis L. Donovan, visited Guantanamo Naval Base to inspect unmanned systems supporting the task force.
Cuban Government's Response
Havana has not ignored these signals. Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío cautioned on October 4 that underestimating U.S. references to possible military action would be "naive and irresponsible."
The following day, Deputy Minister Josefina Vidal Torres stated that Cuba is bolstering its defensive capabilities "now more than ever," as part of what the regime has called the "Year of Defense Preparation."
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Military Activities in Puerto Rico
What is the purpose of the U.S. Marines' exercises in Puerto Rico?
The exercises aim to enhance combat readiness and support the Western Hemisphere Joint Task Force's initiatives, which include disrupting illicit drug trafficking and deterring malign actors.
How has the Cuban government reacted to recent U.S. military activities?
Cuba has increased its defensive capabilities and warned against underestimating the U.S. references to possible military actions, highlighting the "Year of Defense Preparation."