Washington has deployed a huge naval force in the Caribbean but US casualties during its operations in the region have been rare.

The operations have included strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, the seizure of oil tankers and a stunning raid to capture Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro.

The Marine -- 21-year-old Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka Oforah -- reportedly fell off the USS Iwo Jima on February 7 and was declared deceased following "an extensive, around-the-clock 72-hour search-and-rescue operation," the Marine Corps said in a statement.

In a separate incident, the USS Truxton and USNS Supply collided "during a replenishment at sea" on Wednesday, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which is responsible for US forces in Central and South America, said in a statement without specifying where the collision happened.

"Two personnel reported minor injuries and are in stable condition. Both ships have reported sailing safely. The incident is currently under investigation," SOUTHCOM added.