American and Cuban Military Officials Meet in Guantanamo

SadaNews - High-ranking American and Cuban military officers met on Friday evening in Guantanamo Bay, the American base on the communist island, at a time when relations between the two countries are deteriorating due to President Donald Trump's threat to seize the country.

The U.S. Southern Command for Latin America and the Caribbean (SOUTHCOM) stated in a release accompanied by a photo of the meeting that American General Francis Donovan met with Cuban General Roberto Leigra Soutilongo "to exchange views on operational security issues."

Reports last week indicated that Havana was considering launching drone strikes on the base in the event of an American attack.

Donovan led a security assessment of the U.S. facility and discussed the safety of service personnel and operational readiness, according to the statement.

Guantanamo Bay, located 700 kilometers southeast of Miami on the southeastern coast of Cuba, is known as a site for abuses against suspected terrorists who were held after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Trump also planned to use the base as a detention center for illegal immigrants.

SOUTHCOM stated that "Guantanamo Naval Station is a vital operational and logistical hub that supports U.S. military efforts to counter threats undermining security, stability, and democracy in the western hemisphere."

Relations between Havana and Washington have deteriorated since the U.S. imposed a fuel blockade on the communist island in January, further exacerbated by a criminal indictment issued by a Florida court last week against former Cuban President Raul Castro.

Havana fears that Washington will use the indictment related to an incident dating back to 1996 as a pretext to overthrow the Cuban government, amid President Donald Trump’s public hints about seizing the island.