A U.S. Navy submarine has pulled into Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean.

A U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean.

U.S. Southern Command said the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean.

The stop is part of a “routine port visit” as the submarine travels through Southern Command’s region, it said in a social media post.

Other U.S. ships also have been tracking and monitoring the Russian drills, which Pentagon officials say do not represent a threat to the United States.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    0·
    3 months ago

    Why does the US have a base in Guantanamo Bay, anyway?

    Because of a 1903 lease agreement with no end date which the post-revolutionary government has not gone back on so far. They protest it, but they have yet to actually say the terms have changed. And they also have a backlog of U.S. money waiting for them when they wish to renegotiate. Don’t underestimate the PR boost having a U.S. naval base on Cuban soil gives to the Cuban government the same way having North Korea and South Korea share a border is good propaganda for both countries.

    • zephyreks@lemmy.mlEnglish
      0·
      3 months ago

      I never understood how slavery could stand for so long… But I guess now I do?

      Nevermind that the embargo on Cuba limits the utility of US money.

      Edit: for a similar scenario, look at the conditions for Haitian “independence” from France. France forced Haiti to pay for the lost property (read: slaves) that were freed by independence, costing the Haitian economy something like 20 billion dollars of economic contribution… For daring to free slaves. But oh no my agreements!

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
        0·
        3 months ago

        All Cuba has to do is go to the negotiating table. It is good for their propaganda to not do so and they don’t need Guantanamo for anything.

        • zephyreks@lemmy.mlEnglish
          0·
          3 months ago

          All Haiti has to do was send it’s slaves back to France, I really don’t see the problem.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
            0·
            3 months ago

            Are you really equating the U.S. sending a yearly uncashed check and keeping a Naval base at the ass end of Cuba with people being enslaved?

                • zephyreks@lemmy.mlEnglish
                  0·
                  3 months ago

                  Look back at your original comment and come back. Read carefully, like they taught you in primary school.

                  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
                    0·
                    3 months ago

                    Okay, this was my original comment:

                    Because of a 1903 lease agreement with no end date which the post-revolutionary government has not gone back on so far. They protest it, but they have yet to actually say the terms have changed. And they also have a backlog of U.S. money waiting for them when they wish to renegotiate. Don’t underestimate the PR boost having a U.S. naval base on Cuban soil gives to the Cuban government the same way having North Korea and South Korea share a border is good propaganda for both countries.

                    https://lemmy.world/comment/10620270

                    Now- are you saying a U.S. naval base at the ass-end of Cuba is the same as human enslavement?