Thousands gathered this Wednesday at the Mariana Grajales Coello Revolution Square in Guantánamo to express their protest against U.S. policies toward Cuba. This event, orchestrated by the Cuban regime as part of an Anti-Imperialist Rally, aimed to reaffirm their "revolutionary commitment" to defending national sovereignty.
These kinds of events are part of a broader political strategy by the Cuban regime, which has revived open forums as a tool for mobilization and propaganda. The goal is to strengthen official narratives and create unity among its supporters.
During the rally, the signing of the Platt Amendment 122 years ago was recalled, which allowed the establishment of a U.S. naval base in Caimanera. Additionally, there was a demand for the return of this territory, labeling the American presence as an "illegal occupation." However, this rhetoric does not translate into concrete legal or diplomatic actions to reclaim control over the naval base; rather, it serves as a rhetorical device to energize the populace.
The regime highlighted the naval base as a symbol of foreign interference and an ongoing struggle. It also used the occasion to condemn the U.S. "economic blockade" (embargo) and Cuba's inclusion on the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism, calling these actions "unfounded and manipulative."
The gathering was also a response to the recent U.S. decision to transfer 30,000 migrants deemed dangerous criminals to the Guantánamo base, which the Cuban Foreign Ministry claims could pose risks and instability in the region.
Party officials stressed the importance of national unity, recalling historic events like the uprising at La Confianza farm and Antonio Maceo's landing at Duaba. After spending hours at the site from early morning, attendees applauded the arrival of the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Historical Context of the Naval Base
The U.S. presence in Guantánamo Bay dates back to 1903 when, following the Spanish-American War, Cuba and the United States signed an agreement granting the U.S. a lease to establish a naval and coaling station. This agreement, known as the Cuban-American Treaty, was signed by then Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma and U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, and it established a perpetual lease with an annual payment of $2,000 in American gold coins.
Although Cuba retained "ultimate sovereignty" over the territory, the U.S. exercised "complete jurisdiction and control" over the leased area. This agreement was made in a context of U.S. military intervention in Cuba and under the imposition of the Platt Amendment, which conditioned Cuban sovereignty and allowed U.S. intervention in the island's internal affairs.
Since the so-called Cuban Revolution's triumph in 1959, the regime has regarded the base's presence as illegal occupation and has demanded its return. However, to date, there have been no concrete legal or military efforts to change this situation, only denunciations and symbolic acts like the recent Anti-Imperialist Rally.
While Havana continues to denounce the U.S. presence in Guantánamo as a violation of its sovereignty, the naval base remains operational under the terms of the original 1903 agreement, reflecting a complex historical relationship between the two nations. The reactivation of open forums is part of a mobilization pattern the regime has employed during other crises to reinforce its ideological discourse and maintain internal support.
Nevertheless, beyond the official rhetoric, there are no concrete initiatives to change the status of the Guantánamo naval base, suggesting the issue remains a political tool rather than a genuine diplomatic priority.
Understanding the Guantánamo Naval Base Dispute
What is the historical significance of the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo?
The U.S. naval base in Guantánamo is significant because it resulted from the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903, allowing the United States to establish a naval and coaling station. The agreement followed the Spanish-American War and remains a point of contention between the U.S. and Cuba due to its historical and political implications.
Why does the Cuban regime view the base as an illegal occupation?
The Cuban regime considers the base an illegal occupation because it believes the agreement was made under duress during a period of U.S. intervention and influence over Cuba. Since the 1959 revolution, the regime has demanded its return, viewing it as a remnant of foreign interference.