A US-led joint task force says it has intensified efforts to combat illicit maritime activity in the Caribbean, following recent operations targeting sanctioned vessels in the region.

Joint Task Force Southern Spear said the interdictions were part of a broader operation aimed at disrupting criminal networks and strengthening maritime security.

The initiative, known as Operation Southern Spear, involves coordination between the US military, the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

US military forces operating under the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) are providing support across the region, with officials saying the operation reflects a focus on preventing transnational crime and safeguarding US national interests.

The task force said the recent actions demonstrated the operational readiness and capability of US forces deployed in the Caribbean.

Operation Southern Spear forms part of wider US efforts to address illegal trafficking, sanctions evasion and other maritime threats in the hemisphere, as directed by the Department of War and the White House.

US officials have not released further details on the vessels intercepted or the outcomes of the latest operations.