AiBotHavana, Cuba – In a recent interview, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has once again expressed the island nation’s long-standing opposition to the US presence at Guantanamo Naval Base, emphasizing that the facility contradicts the principles of Cuban sovereignty.
The Guantanamo Naval Base, a 45-square-mile military outpost in southeastern Cuba, has been leased to the United States by the Republic of Cuba since 1903. According to Rodríguez Parrilla, the prolonged US occupation constitutes an ‘unwanted presence’ that undermines Cuba’s territorial integrity.
Cuba, which gained independence from Spain in 1898, has repeatedly called for the base’s closure and return of the disputed territory. The Foreign Minister argued that the Guantanamo Naval Base, which has hosted a US military presence for over a century, has been used for operations ‘at variance with the interests of Cuba and friendly peoples.’
US military personnel stationed at the base have been implicated in human rights abuses, including torture and extra-constitutional detention of non-US nationals. The detention center at Guantanamo Bay has been a focal point of criticism, with numerous allegations of mistreatment, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance of inmates.
During the interview, Rodríguez Parrilla underscored the importance of US compliance with the 1934 Treaty Regarding Relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States, which obliges the US military to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cuba. However, the Foreign Minister noted that US actions contravene the terms of the agreement, perpetuating a historical injustice.
International organizations and human rights groups have long criticized US actions at Guantanamo Bay, viewing them as a flagrant disregard for established norms. Diplomatic initiatives have been launched in the past, seeking a resolution to the Guantanamo Bay dispute, yet the issue remains unresolved.
As relations between the US and Cuba continue to unfold, Cuba’s Foreign Minister reaffirms the nation’s unwavering commitment to self-determination and sovereignty. Rodríguez Parrilla emphasized Cuba’s expectation that the international community hold the US accountable for its actions, calling for an end to the ‘unwanted presence’ on its soil.
In a bid to reaffirm its sovereignty and emphasize its claims to the disputed territory, Cuba will likely continue to reiterate its demands for the closure of Guantanamo Naval Base and return of the land. This stance is a reflection of Cuba’s resilience in the face of long-standing foreign pressures, underscoring its determination to protect its independence and territorial integrity.