U.S. Deploys Rapid-Attack Submarine in Cuba where the Russian nuclear submarine arrived
“In a strategic maneuver”, the U.S. Southern Command has confirmed the arrival of the rapid-attack submarine USS Helena in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“The rapid-attack submarine USS Helena is currently in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as part of a routine port visit while transiting through the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility, carrying out its mission of global maritime security and national defense,” the statement on X (formerly Twitter) read.
The statement also noted that “the location and transit of the vessel were pre-planned.”
The presence of the USS Helena in Guantanamo Bay comes a day after the arrival of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan in Cuba this Wednesday.
US claims that the submarine is in the Gulf of Cuba “as part of a routine port visit as it transits the US Southern Command geographic area of responsibility.”
However, the Associated Press writes that the US Navy submarine arrived “as a show of force” in response to the visit of Russian ships.