This past Sunday, military hovercrafts and a substantial logistic support ship from the U.S. Navy were observed at the Ponce Pier in southern Puerto Rico, marking another indication of Washington's ongoing military presence in the Caribbean.
Puerto Rican photographer Michael Bonet shared images on X capturing at least two LCAC military hovercrafts docked at Ponce Pier at 1:08 PM on Sunday. These vessels, identified as LCAC-04 from the U.S. Navy, were seen alongside military Humvee vehicles within the port area.
A short time later, at 1:32 PM, Bonet also photographed the Roy P. Benavidez ship, also known as USNS Benavidez (T-AKR-306), moored at the same pier. This strategic Bob Hope-class roll-on/roll-off cargo ship is designed for transporting heavy vehicles and equipment.
The USNS Benavidez, measuring 279 meters long, can carry up to 380 military vehicles, including M1 Abrams tanks, and 800 containers, with a full load displacement of 62,000 tons. Its presence in Ponce hints at the movement or prepositioning of heavy equipment in the Caribbean region as part of Operation Southern Spear, the most extensive U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean since the 1962 Missile Crisis.
The Strategic Role of LCACs in Military Operations
LCACs are amphibious assault hovercrafts capable of transporting troops, armored vehicles, and equipment from ships to shore, even on beaches lacking port infrastructure, making them essential for any landing operation.
This sighting occurred just three days after the return of the ship that transported Maduro, which reappeared in Puerto Rico last Thursday: the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), arrived in Ponce with at least 10 V-22 Osprey tiltrotors and an SH-60 Seahawk helicopter on its flight deck.
It was the USS Iwo Jima that received Nicolás Maduro following his capture in Caracas on January 3, 2026, during Operation Absolute Resolution.
Trump released the first image of the captured Maduro, with his face covered and escorted by armed personnel upon arrival on the ship's deck. Maduro was subsequently transferred to the Guantanamo Naval Base and then to New York, where he arrived handcuffed at the DEA offices to face federal charges of narco-terrorism.
Operation Southern Spear: A Military Initiative Against Narcotics
Operation Southern Spear commenced on September 1, 2025, under the leadership of General Francis L. Donovan, commander of the Southern Command, with the goal of combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
As of mid-May 2026, the operation had conducted approximately 52 kinetic strikes, resulting in over 163 casualties.
On May 4 and 5, U.S. forces eliminated two suspected narcotraffickers on a boat in the Caribbean, and another lethal strike was executed in the region on May 9 as part of the same operation.
Ponce Pier has become the primary logistics base for these operations in the Caribbean, with a sustained pattern of military deployment that the U.S. has maintained in the region since the launch of Operation Southern Spear.
FAQs on U.S. Military Presence in the Caribbean
What is the purpose of Operation Southern Spear?
Operation Southern Spear aims to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions.
Why is the USNS Benavidez significant?
The USNS Benavidez is crucial for transporting heavy military vehicles and equipment, supporting military operations in the Caribbean.
How do LCACs contribute to military operations?
LCACs are essential for transporting troops and equipment from ships to shore, especially on beaches without port infrastructure.