Monthly Intelligence Report February 2026

This month’s issue of the Monthly Intelligence Report covers incidents that took place between January 1 - 31, 2026, in three focus regions:

• West Africa

• Western Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf)

• South East Asia

Focus topic: US influence in the Caribbean and implications for maritime operations in Venezuela

This month, we are taking a look at recent events in Latin America. The US military build-up in the Caribbean drastically changed the threat landscape in the region. The deployment of naval assets enabled a cinematic night raid that ended with the abduction of Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Uncertainty remains over the longer-term impact of recent US actions on commercial shipping activities in Venezuela and the wider region.

In addition, the report provides a brief update on the maritime implications of the war in Ukraine.

This month's risk and threat assessment

In the report's assessment, the main incidents are put into a broader context to highlight current threat levels and potential changes for maritime operations. Moreover, the report includes forecasts that cover the main concerns in the coming weeks.