The top U.S. commander in Latin America engaged in discussions with Cuban military leaders on Friday. The meeting took place near the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This visit comes as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on Cuba’s leaders.
Trump recently stated Cuba is ‘next’ after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a raid in January. Over recent months, the Trump administration has enforced an oil blockade, stationed warships in the Caribbean, and brought federal charges against a former Cuban president.
Senior Trump advisors, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have met with Cuban officials to explore potential improvements in relations. However, the meetings concluded with dissatisfaction on the U.S. side, resulting in additional sanctions on the Cuban government.
In addition to Friday’s meeting with Cuban military officials, U.S. General Francis L. Donovan assessed the naval base’s security. Discussions included military and family safety and operational readiness, according to a Southcom post on platform X.
Despite decades-long tensions with Cuba’s socialist leaders, the U.S. maintains the Guantanamo Bay base. President Trump aims to remove these leaders from power. Currently, the U.S. military operates a limited Navy force in the Caribbean, much smaller than during the Maduro operation.
The Pentagon announced a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines will replace the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was deployed last year.
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