In a demonstration of military strength, a U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean. The USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker, and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay following drills in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the U.S. Southern Command, the submarine's visit is part of a routine port visit as it travels through the region. Pentagon officials have been closely monitoring the Russian drills, emphasizing that they do not pose a threat to the United States.

"This is not a surprise. We've seen them do these types of port calls before," stated Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh in response to the Russian drills. "We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don't pose a threat to the United States."

However, these exercises come less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to utilize U.S.-provided weapons to protect Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, leading Russian President Vladimir Putin to suggest potential "asymmetrical steps" in response. Therefore, U.S. officials anticipate increased Russian activity in global exercises, potentially even near the United States. The drills are currently taking place in international waters, and Russian ships are expected to remain in the region through the summer, with a possibility of stopping in Venezuela as well.

It is worth noting that Russia has a longstanding alliance with both Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have occasionally ventured into the Caribbean. Russian ships have previously docked in Havana, with the first such visit in almost two decades occurring in 2008, and a surprise arrival of a reconnaissance and communications ship in 2015, coinciding with discussions between U.S. and Cuban officials on the reopening of diplomatic relations.

As tensions remain high with potential geopolitical implications, the presence of the U.S. Navy submarine in Guantanamo Bay serves as a visible show of force, representing the United States' commitment to protect its interests in the region.