U.S. Increases Intelligence Flights Over Cuba, Press Reports Indicate

Analysis published by CNN, based on FlightRadar24 data, indicates that since February 4, the U.S. Navy and Air Force have conducted at least 25 such flights using manned aircraft and drones. Most of these operations took place near the island's two largest cities, Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with some occurring less than 64 kilometers from the coast.

Military Assets and Intelligence Collection

The report specifies that a variety of high-tech assets were utilized in these missions:

• P-8A Poseidon: Maritime patrol aircraft designed for surveillance and reconnaissance.

   

• RC-135V Rivet Joint: A specialized aircraft used for signals intelligence collection.

   

• MQ-4C Triton: High-altitude reconnaissance drones used to monitor the territory.

   

Political Escalation and Diplomatic Reactions

The administration of Donald Trump has escalated the long-standing blockade to unprecedented levels, implementing a "petroleum siege" under the justification that the Caribbean nation represents an "extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security. In response, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez affirmed that Cuba will safeguard its independence and "will exercise its right to legitimate defense to the ultimate consequences, with the massive and multitudinous support of the people".

In an interview with ABC News, Rodríguez stated clearly: "Cuba does not represent a threat to the United States: not to its national security, nor to its foreign policy, nor to its economy, nor to the American lifestyle". He warned that Washington has chosen a "dangerous path" that could lead to "unimaginable consequences, a humanitarian catastrophe, or a genocide".

Since the start of his second term on January 20 of last year, President Trump has reversed the limited progress made by his predecessor, Joe Biden. Although Biden removed Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism just before leaving office, Trump has intensified measures intended to strangle the Cuban economy and force regime change. Hostility from Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has continued to rise, with permanent threats of future actions and the potential deployment of aircraft carriers near Cuban shores.