A US Navy warship collided with a Navy supply vessel during a refuelling operation, the US military’s Southern Command has confirmed.
Two people reported minor injuries during Wednesday’s replenishment-at-sea operation and are in stable condition, Southern Command said. Both vessels continued sailing safely away from the scene.
The incident is under investigation, and officials have not said what caused the collision.
What happened during the USS Truxtun collision
The crash occurred during an underway replenishment, a high-risk manoeuvre where ships sail in close formation to transfer fuel and supplies while moving.
The vessels involved were identified as the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply.
Southern Command did not immediately specify the exact location, describing the incident as occurring in waters within its area of responsibility, which covers the Caribbean and parts of the Atlantic and Pacific near South America.
Two minor injuries as both ships remain operational
Southern Command said two personnel suffered minor injuries. Both were reported to be in stable condition.
Crucially, the military said the ships remained seaworthy and continued operating after the collision. No further disruptions were reported in the immediate aftermath.
Why the Caribbean is under sharper military focus
The collision comes as the Trump administration has expanded US military activity in the wider region, citing efforts to target drug trafficking.
Recent operations have drawn attention after US forces struck vessels described as suspected drug-smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific, with reported fatalities in some cases.
The broader posture has also included heightened enforcement linked to Venezuela, including actions tied to sanctions on oil. The Trump administration has also described a January operation that removed and captured Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, a development that has intensified regional scrutiny of US military activity.
What happens next
Southern Command said the collision is being investigated. It has not provided a timeline for findings or said whether any disciplinary action is expected.
For now, the military’s public position remains focused on safety: two minor injuries, both vessels still operating, and an inquiry underway to establish what went wrong.
