U.S. warships operating in the Caribbean are being moved to avoid an approaching storm, and non-essential personnel began evacuating Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, yesterday, October 25th, 2025. This action comes as regional tensions involving Venezuela continue to escalate and following a Russian aircraft's landing in Caracas. An evacuation of non-essential personnel from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, commenced yesterday. U.S. warships operating in the region are expected to be moved out of the storm's path. This development occurs as U.S. naval forces, including the USS Wichita in Puerto Rico and the USS Gravely in Trinidad and Tobago, continue exercises near Venezuela. Adding to the regional pressure, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated earlier today, "It’s time for Maduro to go. I hope Maduro would leave peacefully, but I don't think he's going to stay around much longer." His remarks echo ongoing discussions about the Venezuelan leadership amidst increased U.S. military presence. Previous reports indicated that a Russian Aviacon Zitotrans Il-76TD aircraft, registration RA-76445, landed in Caracas, Venezuela, at 19:49 UTC on October 26th, 2025. Aviacon Zitotrans is a U.S.-sanctioned airline for allegedly supplying weapons to Venezuela and Africa. Naval movements in the Caribbean include the USS Wichita replacing the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul in Port of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and the USS Gravely arriving in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for joint exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Forces from October 26th to October 30th. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has also departed Croatia en route to the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelan leader MarĂa Corina Machado has stated that President Maduro initiated the conflict and that President Donald Trump is working to end it. President Trump has previously indicated he would not discuss Venezuela with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom he characterized as "the accomplice of tyrants."
