The U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz, accompanied by escort warships, entered the southern Caribbean Sea on Wednesday. This deployment is part of the Trump administration’s effort to apply pressure on the Cuban government. The Southern Command and a U.S. official confirmed the mission.
The administration’s current strategy involves using the Nimitz and its fighter jet contingent to demonstrate strength, rather than engaging in significant military operations. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, highlighted the distinction between this deployment and the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford’s earlier involvement in a commando raid to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The Nimitz has been navigating South America’s coastline for several weeks as part of a planned training mission. Recent exercises with the Brazilian navy preceded its Caribbean arrival. The intentional timing of the carrier’s entry coincided with the Justice Department’s charges against Raul Castro, Cuba’s former president, who is 94 years old.
“Welcome to the Caribbean, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group!” the Southern Command announced on social media. “U.S.S. Nimitz has demonstrated its combat effectiveness worldwide, promoting stability and defending democracy from the Taiwan Strait to the Arabian Gulf.”
The Pentagon had accumulated substantial firepower in the Caribbean for the Maduro operation, but much of it has since departed for operations related to the Iran War. Despite this, the amphibious assault ship Tripoli remains in the region, according to Navy sources.
Eric Schmitt, a national security correspondent for The Times, has extensive experience reporting on U.S. military affairs and counterterrorism. He can be contacted securely on Signal at ericschmitt.36.
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