CNN: US surveillance flights surge near Cuba

US military intelligence-gathering flights off the coast of Cuba have increased sharply in recent months, with some flights reportedly coming within 40 miles of the Cuban coastline, CNN reports.

Since February 4, the US Navy and Air Force have carried out at least 25 surveillance missions using manned aircraft and drones, many operating near Havana and Santiago de Cuba, according to FlightRadar24.

The missions have primarily involved P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, designed for reconnaissance, along with RC-135V Rivet Joint aircraft used for signals intelligence. MQ-4C Triton high-altitude drones have also been deployed.

The reported increase marks a notable shift, as such publicly visible flights near Cuba were previously rare. Most recent activity has concentrated around the island’s two largest cities.

The surge in surveillance comes amid heightened US political pressure on Havana, including expanded sanctions and tougher rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who has described Cuba as a national security concern.

US officials have not publicly commented on the reported increase in flights. The Cuban government has previously dismissed similar US allegations, rejecting claims that it poses a threat to American security.

The pattern of intensified surveillance activity has also been observed in other regions of US strategic interest, including Venezuela, Iran, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, according to publicly tracked flight data.

All flights referenced were identified using open-source tracking platforms such as FlightRadar24 and ADS-B Exchange.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov