Cuba’s government condemned the presence of a US nuclear-powered submarine from the United States at Guantanamo Bay. The submarine had stopped at the US naval base on the island for a few days before continuing for maritime exercises at another US base. While Cuba considers this a provocative escalation, a US official has clarified that it was a routine logistics stop.
According to Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the submarine arrived at the Guantanamo Bay naval base on July 5 and stayed until July 8.
A US Defense official revealed that the submarine’s visit was part of a planned military operation. It had made a logistical stop at Guantanamo Bay before heading south to join a multinational maritime exercise called UNITAS, which is a long-standing tradition.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller pointed out that the timing of the submarine’s visit coincided with the second anniversary of protests by the Cuban people for their human rights and the subsequent repressive actions by the Cuban government. Miller dismissed the Cuban government’s attempts to divert attention from this important day as transparent and laughable.
The recent demonstrations in Cuba on July 11 were the largest in the past 25 years. The protesters expressed frustration over long queues, shortages of essential supplies, and frequent power cuts. However, the Cuban government labelled these protests a US-supported attempt to disrupt peace and detained numerous individuals in connection with the demonstrations.
In a related development, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry announced that 33 Latin American nations had signed an agreement to create a “Zone of Peace.” The ministry also expressed concerns about the presence and movements of US nuclear submarines in the Caribbean region. Cuba has persistently demanded the return of the Guantanamo Bay naval base, which it considers an illegitimate US occupation, but its demands have been unsuccessful so far.
Reference: Outlook, Apnews, ktvz
Cuba Accuses US Of ‘Provocation’ Due To Presence Of US Nuclear Submarine At Guantanamo Bay Naval Base appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide
Source: Maritime Shipping News