• US military intelligence flights near the Cuban coast have become more frequent since February 2025, with at least 25 missions conducted by the US Navy and Air Force.
  • Aircraft used include P-8A Poseidon, RC-135V Rivet Joint, and MQ-4C Triton drones, approaching within 40 miles of the coast.
  • Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump has intensified rhetoric against Cuba, including new sanctions and announcements of a visit to Havana.
  • A similar pattern of increased surveillance flights preceded US military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
  • The Pentagon declined to comment, while the Cuban government says it is open to negotiations but would wage a long guerrilla war if attacked.
  • The flights are publicly visible on air traffic tracking services, raising questions about whether the US is intentionally signaling its presence.