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Since February 4, a significant uptick in intelligence-gathering flights has been observed, carried out by the U.S. Navy and Air Force using both manned aircraft and drones. According to data from FlightRadar24, there have been at least 25 such flights, mostly concentrated around Havana and Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s two largest cities. Some of these flights have ventured as close as 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Cuban coastline.
The majority of these missions were conducted by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, known for their capabilities in surveillance and reconnaissance. Additionally, some flights involved the RC-135V Rivet Joint, an aircraft specifically designed for gathering signals intelligence. This surge in aerial activity raises questions about the U.S.’s strategic intentions in the region.
Since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have conducted at least 25 such flights using manned aircraft and drones, most of them near the country’s two biggest cities, Havana and Santiago de Cuba, and some coming within 40 miles (64km) of the coast, according to FlightRadar24.
Most of the flights were by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are designed for surveillance and reconnaissance, while some were by an RC-135V Rivet Joint, which specializes in signals intelligence gathering.
Several MQ-4C Triton high-altitude reconnaissance drones have also been used.
The flights are notable not only for their proximity to the coast, which puts them well within range of gathering intelligence, but for the suddenness of their appearance – prior to February, such publicly visible flights were exceedingly rare in this area – and for their timing.
Trump has ordered an oil blockade of Cuba and now imposed extra sanctions, while the island battles energy shortages.
The US president has ramped up his rhetoric against the communist nation at different points in his time in office, and has claimed the regime will fall.