Official statements from U.S. government, news agencies

Russia to Conduct Air and Naval Exercises in Caribbean, Including Cuba and Venezuela, Amid U.S. Tensions

Jun 6, 2024, 09:30 AM

Russia is set to conduct coordinated air and naval military exercises in the Caribbean in the coming weeks. The exercises will include stops in Cuba and Venezuela and are seen as a response to rising tensions with the United States over the situation in Ukraine. This marks the first such coordinated military exercise by Russia in the Caribbean since 2019. U.S. officials have confirmed the deployment of Russian air and sea assets in the region, raising concerns reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin's military might is being showcased within sight of the U.S. Naval Station in Cuba, and there are speculations that the exercises could involve freedom of navigation operations near Miami.