Since February, the United States has significantly increased intelligence flights near Cuba’s coastline, according to a CNN report citing FlightRadar24 data. The report states that since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have conducted at least 25 surveillance missions using aircraft and drones, mainly near Havana and Santiago de Cuba, with some flights coming within 40 miles of the coast. Most operations involved P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, while RC-135V Rivet Joint planes and MQ-4C Triton drones were also deployed.

Before February, such flights were rare in the region. The report links the surge to a January 29 executive order signed by President Donald Trump authorizing tariffs on imports from countries supplying oil to Cuba. The Cuban government has accused the US of trying to cripple its economy through energy restrictions. The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported flights.

CNN noted that similar patterns of increased surveillance occurred before US military actions in Venezuela and Iran, raising concerns in Havana about possible escalation.