US Steps Up Intelligence Flights Near Cuba Amid Rising Tensions: Report

Washington: The United States has significantly increased military intelligence-gathering flights near Cuba in recent months, according to a media report based on publicly available aviation tracking data.

A report by CNN, citing flight data from FlightRadar24, claimed that since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have carried out at least 25 surveillance missions near Cuba, mainly around Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Some aircraft reportedly flew within 40 miles of the Cuban coastline.

The operations were mostly conducted using P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, along with RC-135V Rivet Joint intelligence planes and MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drones. The report noted that such publicly visible missions had been relatively rare in the region before February.

According to the report, the increase in surveillance activity coincided with tougher rhetoric from US President Donald Trump against Cuba. Earlier this year, Trump reposted a message on social media suggesting he would visit a “free Havana” before leaving office.

Shortly afterwards, the US administration imposed an oil blockade on Cuba and later announced fresh sanctions targeting key Cuban economic entities, including military-linked businesses.

The report also pointed out similarities with previous US military surveillance patterns observed before operations involving Venezuela and Iran.

However, separate reports quoting US officials said Washington is not currently planning imminent military action against Cuba despite the heightened tensions and strong public statements from the Trump administration.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported surveillance activity, according to CNN.

With inputs from IANS