The United States has sent a nuclear submarine to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a “routine port visit,” the US Southern Command confirmed Thursday. This comes after the arrival of Russian warships in the area.
The USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, arrived near the US base in Cuba just after a fleet of Russian warships and a nuclear sub gathered in Havana Bay for planned military exercises in the Caribbean.
The US Southern Command claims their submarine’s arrival is “a routine port visit” and US officials say the Russian ships, which are currently docked in the Havana Harbor, do not pose a threat. Nevertheless, US ships are monitoring the exercises closely.
STATEMENT: The fast-attack submarine USS Helena is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as part of a routine port visit as it transits the U.S. Southern Command geographic area of responsibility while conducting its global maritime security and national defense mission. The vessel's location… pic.twitter.com/icbeuonjgp
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) June 13, 2024
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“This is not a surprise. We’ve seen them do these type of port calls before,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh when questioned about the Russian “exercise.” “We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don’t pose a threat to the United States.”
The Russian military exercises in the Caribbean follow President Joe Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to use US-provided weapons against Russian territory. This led Russian President Vladimir Putin to threaten “asymmetrical steps” globally, and specifically threatened to send ships to Cuba in retaliation.
This act is seen by US officials as part of Russia’s historical military presence in the region, underscored by their alliance with Venezuela and Cuba. They have often visited the Caribbean, with previous unannounced visits coinciding with significant diplomatic events between the US and Cuba.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics and business for VT and a regular guest on The Unusual Suspects. Follow Shane’s work here.
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