Thousands of people were mobilized this Wednesday to attend the Plaza de la Revolución Mariana Grajales Coello in Guantánamo, to express their rejection of the United States' policies towards Cuba.
The event, orchestrated by the Cuban regime in the format of an Anti-Imperialist Tribune, served to reaffirm the "revolutionary" commitment to "the defense of national sovereignty."
Acts of this nature are part of a broader political strategy, in which the Cuban regime has revived open forums as a mechanism for mobilization and propaganda, with the aim of reinforcing the official narrative and generating cohesion among its supporters.
During the day, the signing of the Platt Amendment was commemorated, which took place 122 years ago and allowed for the establishment of a U.S. naval base in Caimanera. Additionally, the return of that territory was demanded, labeling the U.S. presence as an "illegal occupation".
However, this discursive strategy does not translate into concrete actions in the legal or diplomatic realm to regain control over the naval base, but rather serves as a rhetorical tool to mobilize the population.
After underscoring that the naval base is a symbol of foreign interference and a reminder of the ongoing struggles, the Cuban regime also took the opportunity to denounce the "economic blockade" (embargo) imposed by the United States, as well as Cuba's inclusion on the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, labeling these actions as "unfounded and manipulative."
The mobilization also responded to the recent decision by the U.S. government to relocate 30,000 migrants deemed dangerous criminals to the Guantanamo naval base, which, according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, could generate risks and instability in the region.
Party authorities emphasized the importance of national unity, recalling historical events such as the uprising at the La Confianza estate and the landing at Duaba by Antonio Maceo. After staying at the site for hours (since dawn), the activists applauded the arrival of the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Historical Context of the Naval Base
The American presence in Guantánamo Bay dates back to 1903, when, following the Spanish-American War, Cuba and the United States signed an agreement granting the United States the lease of the bay to establish a naval station and coaling facility.
This agreement, known as the Cuban-American Treaty, was signed by the then Cuban president Tomás Estrada Palma and his American counterpart Theodore Roosevelt, and established a perpetual lease, with an annual payment of 2,000 dollars in U.S. gold coins.
Although Cuba maintained "definitive sovereignty" over the territory, the United States exercised "jurisdiction and complete control" over the leased area. However, this agreement took place in a context of U.S. military intervention in Cuba and under the imposition of the Platt Amendment, which conditioned Cuban sovereignty and allowed for U.S. intervention in the island's internal affairs.
Since the triumph of the so-called "Cuban revolution" in 1959, the regime has regarded the presence of the base as an illegal occupation and has demanded its return. However, to date, no concrete legal or military actions have been taken to reverse this situation, limiting itself to denunciations and symbolic acts such as the recent Antimperialist Tribune.
While Havana continues to condemn the U.S. presence in Guantanamo 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 countries.
The reactivation of open forums is part of a pattern of mobilization that the regime has used during other moments of crisis to strengthen its ideological discourse and maintain internal support.
However, beyond the official rhetoric, there are no concrete initiatives to change the status of the Guantanamo naval base, suggesting that the issue remains a political tool rather than a real diplomatic priority.
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