US-Cuba Relations

Military leaders from Cuba and the US met at Guantánamo

High-ranking military officials from the US and Cuba met on Friday at the US Guantánamo base in Cuba, reports AP. The meeting was described as a brief conversation about operational security issues.

According to the US Southern Command, the security of the base's personnel and their families, as well as operational readiness, were discussed. Cuba's Ministry of Defense stated that both sides viewed the meeting as positive and that they agreed to maintain communication.

Relations between the countries have recently become increasingly strained. The US has, among other things, cut off oil supplies to the island and Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted that the US may attack Cuba militarily.

Tensions over Cuba—the issue is relevant

• The United States on May 20 indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on four counts of murder linked to the 1996 shooting down of two Cuban exile planes.
• Tensions between the United States and Cuba increased after the indictment, with U.S. military ships and flights near Cuba and new sanctions against Cuban leaders.Spänningarna mellan USA och Kuba ökade efter åtalet, med amerikanska militära fartyg och flygningar nära Kuba samt nya sanktioner mot kubanska ledare.
• The Cuban government denounced the indictment as false and warned that the country would defend itself against military attacks, while preparations for invasion were reported.
• U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened regime change in Cuba, saying the country is "next in line" after Venezuela.
• International actors such as China have expressed support for Cuba, while the U.S. offer of emergency aid was conditional and the flow of Cuban refugees to the United States has decreased.