The U.S. has stepped up reconnaissance flights near Cuba — CNN
In recent days, the United States has significantly stepped up its military activity off the coast of Cuba. According to CNN, U.S. reconnaissance aircraft and drones are regularly flying near the island, sparking a new wave of speculation about Washington’s possible plans.
According to the network, over the past week, the U.S. Navy and Air Force have carried out at least 25 reconnaissance missions. Tracking services have detected aircraft and drones primarily near the country’s largest cities—Havana and Santiago de Cuba. At times, reconnaissance aircraft have approached within less than 40 miles of the Cuban coast, which is very close.
The military deployed its most powerful reconnaissance aircraft. Most of the flights were carried out by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are designed for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Analysts also spotted RC-135V Rivet Joint aircraft. This specialized equipment intercepts signals and collects intelligence data. Additionally, the Pentagon deployed several MQ-4C Triton high-altitude reconnaissance drones, capable of tracking targets for hours from high altitudes.
Analysts see a familiar pattern: similar tactics by the White House have preceded actual military operations in the past. A surge in flights usually coincides with Donald Trump’s tough rhetoric.
For example, a similar situation unfolded in Venezuela. At that time, the U.S. president announced the first strike on a drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea. He directly accused Venezuela’s then-leader, Nicolás Maduro. The American leader accused him of involvement in “mass killings, drug trafficking, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and acts of violence and terror.”
A week later, American reconnaissance aircraft appeared off the coast of Venezuela, and it all ended with an assault and Maduro’s removal to the United States.
A similar scenario was carried out against Tehran. Massive aerial reconnaissance openly monitored Iran’s southern coast immediately prior to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes. During the Iran conflict, the military used the same models of equipment.
Today, these same aircraft are circling near Cuba again. Such activity raises serious concerns about Washington’s possible preparations for a new military operation, the article notes.
As a reminder, the United States and Venezuela’s interim government have agreed to restore diplomatic and consular relations between the two countries. The U.S. State Department called this decision an important step toward stabilizing the situation in Venezuela and improving bilateral relations.
Venezuela and the U.S. have signed a multimillion-dollaragreement for the supply of gold.
As a reminder, gold prices rose to a one-month high amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Oil prices are also rising due to the conflict in the Middle East and risks to the Strait of Hormuz.
