U.S. Navy Ships Collide During Caribbean Refueling Operation
Two U.S. Navy ships participating in the naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea collided Wednesday during a refueling operation, resulting in minor injuries to two sailors, U.S. Defense officials reported Thursday.
The incident involved the USS Truxtun (DDG‑103), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and the USNS Supply (T‑AOE‑6), a Supply-class fast combat support ship, according to a statement provided to Fox News by a spokesperson for the U.S. Southern Command. Both vessels were engaged in a replenishment-at-sea operation – a procedure where fuel, spare parts, and supplies are transferred between ships without docking in port.
Both ships were able to continue underway under their own power following the collision, and officials reported no significant structural damage that would immediately impact their operational capabilities. A naval investigation into the cause of the collision is underway, with authorities currently withholding details regarding potential contributing factors such as weather conditions or technical malfunctions.
The collision occurred amidst a substantial U.S. Navy presence in the Caribbean, currently encompassing at least a dozen warships, including aircraft carriers and support units. This expanded deployment is part of a broader effort focused on counter-narcotics operations and maintaining regional maritime security, according to reports.
The increased naval activity follows a period of heightened tensions and a U.S. Military buildup in the region, initiated in late August 2025 with the stated goal of combating drug trafficking. President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Armed Forces to use military force against certain Latin American drug cartels, characterizing them as “narcoterrorists.”
The U.S. Has deployed at least eight warships and one submarine to the eastern Caribbean, including the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, USS Sampson, USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, USS Fort Lauderdale, USS Lake Erie, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and USS Newport News. These vessels carry strike packages that include Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range exceeding 1,000 miles.
Venezuela has responded to the U.S. Military presence by mobilizing its own troops and military assets, raising the possibility of a direct confrontation in the southern Caribbean. In late Tuesday, U.S. Forces in the region launched a missile strike that destroyed a suspected drug boat linked to Venezuela, reportedly killing those on board, according to a statement made by President Trump on his Truth Social platform.
The U.S. Military buildup involves multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army, as well as the Coast Guard and intelligence agencies like the CIA and FBI. The Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago are also reportedly participating in the operation.
As of February 9, 2026, at least 48 individuals have been killed in the Caribbean Sea as a result of operations related to the U.S. Military buildup, according to available reports. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing concerns about potential escalation and the impact on regional stability.
