Two years after a major upheaval Cuban officials blamed on interference from Washington, the government in Havana condemned the entry of a nuclear powered submarine into Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. naval base in the eastern portion of the island that has remained contentious since 1903. The Cuban government flagged the event as a provocative act and questioned the strategic and political motives behind it, noting that the reasons stated by the United States were unclear. According to the U.S. State Department, the submarine arrived on July 5 and remained docked until July 8.
The Foreign Ministry summarized the incident as a moment that raises questions about the military aims in the Pacific region and the possible purposes behind a submarine presence so close to Cuban shores. Havana also pressed a long standing demand for the return of the Guantanamo province, which it views as illegally occupied. The base covers roughly 117 square kilometers and, from Cuba’s perspective, represents a colonial remnant arising from a history of American intervention that began in the late 19th century. Minrex stressed that the continued naval presence only serves political goals that undermine Cuban sovereignty.
torture and detention center
Havana charged that in recent years the base has taken on a troubling role. Officials described it as a place used for detention and alleged instances of torture, where people from several countries have faced human rights abuses. A prison within the facility was established in 2002, initially housing detainees from Afghanistan, many of whom were labeled as terrorists. A substantial number have never faced trial, according to Cuban authorities.
The incident unfolds amid a period of renewed dialogue between Cuba and Russia. Brisk conversations are reportedly exploring bilateral projects in technical and military areas, alongside efforts to expand economic exchanges. In recent weeks Washington signaled concerns about alleged espionage activities linked to a Chinese unit on the island, a claim Cuba has dismissed while promising to keep information current as circumstances evolve. The dialogue reflects broader strategic tensions and efforts by both sides to navigate regional security interests.
another discussion
In this setting, the U.S. embassy in Havana rejected any notion that the White House caused a drug shortage inside Cuba. American officials argued that sanctions and other economic measures have contributed to shortages, while emphasizing that the embargo does not block humanitarian and medical goods. The embassy indicated that U.S. policies permit the export of medicines and related products to Cuba, noting that obtaining licenses from the Department of Commerce is a straightforward process with clear publicly available guidelines.
Speaking directly to Cuban readers, the embassy highlighted that substantial quantities of pharmaceutical products have been approved for export to Cuba since the start of the year, totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Officials argued that this level of trade should not be used to excuse gaps in medical services within the country and stressed the importance of fostering access to health care through lawful channels and transparent procedures.