MIAMI – U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has issued a severe warning to Venezuela and Cuba, declaring “there is no safe haven for criminals” as the United States intensifies its naval presence in the Caribbean. The alert coincides with a massive military buildup and a crackdown on the “dark fleet” of oil tankers that has long supported the Venezuelan government.
The warning follows a week of rapid military operations in the region, highlighted by the seizure of two illicit oil tankers, the M/T Sophia and the M/T Olina, by U.S. forces. These actions are part of “Operation Southern Spear,” a campaign featuring the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group and the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group—the largest projection of U.S. naval power in the region in decades.
Targeting the “Dark Fleet”
SOUTHCOM’s warning specifically targets the maritime networks facilitating the trade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil. On January 9, U.S. Marines and Sailors launched a raid from the USS Gerald R. Ford to seize the M/T Olina near Trinidad. Two days earlier, forces intercepted the M/T Sophia. Both vessels were identified as part of a shadow fleet used to evade international sanctions.
“The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with the amphibious warships USS Iwo Jima, USS Fort Lauderdale, and USS San Antonio remain deployed in the Western Hemisphere,” SOUTHCOM officials stated. “The Sailors and Marines on these lethal vessels are ready to support operations against boats and illicit shipments that benefit malicious actors.”
Ultimatum to Havana
The military pressure is accompanied by a diplomatic ultimatum from the White House directed at Havana. Following the January 3 capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. special operations raid, the administration has moved to cut off the oil supply that has supported Cuba’s economy.
On Sunday, President Trump issued a public warning to the Cuban government, stating, “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Naval assets, including the USS Iwo Jima and USS San Antonio, have repositioned to waters north of Cuba. Defense analysts interpret this maneuver as a physical enforcement of the President’s threat, effectively blocking the traditional supply route between Venezuela and the island nation.
Operation Absolute Resolve
This escalation stems from “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the recent military strike in Caracas that resulted in Maduro’s transfer to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. While a transition government attempts to manage the crisis in Caracas, the continued U.S. military presence signals that Washington will maintain high pressure until its security objectives are met.
For the Caribbean region, the message is clear: the U.S. military has shifted from observation to active interdiction. With thousands of troops and advanced naval airpower patrolling the area, the ability for illicit maritime traffic to move between Venezuela and its allies has been effectively shut down.
Sources
- U.S. Southern Command: Maritime Interdiction (Jan 9, 2026)
- U.S. Southern Command: Maritime Interdiction (Jan 7, 2026)
- U.S. Southern Command Official Statement
- DVIDS: Operation Southern Spear Feature
- The New York Times: Trump Announces Capture of Maduro
- Business Insider: US Forces Catch Dark Fleet Tanker
- Army Recognition: Marines Seize Tanker Olina
- BBC News: Venezuela Crisis Updates
- NBC News: Meet the Press (Jan 4, 2026)
