If Cuba is so terrible, why does the U.S have a military base there- and why does Cuba let us have one there?
Is this the product of some sort of agreement?
2007-12-19 07:12:50 · 6 answers · asked by Avid Booklover 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
People have said it goes back before Castro, well way before. If my memory serves me we entered into the lease for GTMO in 1903. The base was a coaling station. The lease can go on forever as it takes agreement of both the US and Cuba to break the lease, and we aren't going to do it. We keep paying and Castro does not cash the checks. It was used as a training facility for ships. I spent 6 weeks there in 1962 on a destroyer to train the crew in warfare. I believe all the training is now done out of Mayport, FL.
Interesting little story from the 60s. Castro wanted us out of there and threatened to cut of the fresh water supply. The Admiral in charge at the time, I am sure with the blessing of higher command, went and cut the water line himself. I think the base is supplied water from evaporator ships now or a desalination plant.
2007-12-20 17:40:51 · answer #1 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original lease was negotiated long before teh Castro reigeme came to power.
It wqas re-negotiated under Fulgencio Batista, the dictator that Castro overthrew.
So it was there, long before anyone in charge of Cuba didn't want it. The terms of the renegotiated lease said that only if both the US and Cuba agreed, could the lease be changed.
The US sends payment for the property every year. Cuba does not deposit the money.
As for good/bad... Cuba is a tropical climate in the Bahamas. It's the kind of place that people pay lots of good money to go to on vacation. Mild temps and climate all year--just the occassional storm/hurricane.
2007-12-19 15:20:48 · answer #2 · answered by RTO Trainer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US took control of Guantanamo Bay during the Bay of Pigs, where President Kennedy authorized an attempted coup of Fidel Castro. The attack, lead by Cuban defectors, was unsuccessfull, but the US did gain control of the day. Cuba cannot really do anything against them because Cuba does not have the military might to get rid of them.
2007-12-19 15:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Jordan M 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Way back when before the Days of Castro, the land that encompasses GITMO was leased to the US for 99 years out of gratitude for our help in defeating the Spanish.
Castro, out of protest does NOT cash the yearly rent check we send. as to what will happen when the torch is passed, or when the lease runs out, who knows.
2007-12-19 15:22:19 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another side note, Castro did cash one yearly check, that is one of the reasons that we consider everything Kosher.
2007-12-19 18:53:50 · answer #5 · answered by DietrichVonQuint 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have a base there to deter them, they let us because we took it from them.
2007-12-20 00:31:24 · answer #6 · answered by jason 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋