Cuba, known for its classic cars and vibrant music, had an unexpected new attraction on Wednesday: a fleet of Russian warships. For the first time in four years, Russian warships entered Cuban waters, making a splash in Havana Bay that would have even Ernest Hemingway raising an eyebrow.

Arriving in grand style, three Russian warships received a 21-cannon salute as they docked. The red carpet treatment didn’t stop there; a nuclear-powered submarine is also expected to crash the party. But before anyone starts planning a Michael Bay-style blockade, U.S. administration officials have assured everyone that no vessel in the fleet is carrying nuclear weapons.

It’s worth noting that this deployment feels less like a routine naval visit and more like a geopolitical post-it note stuck on President Biden’s desk. This grand arrival comes on the heels of Biden’s approval for Ukrainian forces to strike targets within Russia using U.S. weaponry. Message received, Vladimir.

The Russian fleet’s mission doesn’t stop at Cuba. These warships are in the Caribbean for military drills, likely to include stops in Venezuela. This development didn’t just make Pentagon officials do a double-take; cruise lines plotting tropical itineraries might now be scrambling to reroute their tourists somewhere with fewer torpedoes.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get more movie-like, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at authorizing strikes on the U.S. via proxy countries. Is this a sequel to the Cold War or just a really elaborate chess game? Either way, it’s a tense situation that has more twists than a Tolstoy novel.

According to the U.S. military, the exercises will involve several ships and support vessels which might also drop anchor in Venezuela. This is raising concerns that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro could use the presence of these warships to bolster his bid for a third term by inventing an international crisis. It’s almost like Maduro is auditioning for his own spy thriller series.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, is watching all this with the calm efficiency of a seasoned poker player. While they acknowledge the Russian deployment, they don’t see it as a threat. No one is packing up their bags just yet, but the situation is being monitored more closely than a Kardashian Instagram account.

Russia's port calls in Cuba are being described as routine naval visits, though their frequency has indeed picked up. Coincidence? U.S. officials might disagree, especially considering the timing and Russia's feelings about the U.S. support for Ukraine.

As for Caribbean cruise lines, it’s safe to say they might be looking over their shoulders a bit more often. Picture this: passengers sipping piña coladas while a Russian warship glides past in the distance. Not exactly the brochure-worthy highlight they were hoping for.

In the end, as Russian warships prepare for drills in picturesque Caribbean waters, it's clear that the stakes in this geopolitical tableau are higher than ever. But hey, at least it’s never boring.