About this Unit
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, located on the southeastern coast of Cuba, has been under continuous U.S. control since 1903, following the Spanish-American War. Initially established to serve as a coaling and naval station, its strategic location allowed the U.S. Navy to project power throughout the Caribbean. Over the decades, Guantanamo Bay has played roles in regional conflicts, Cold War intelligence, and humanitarian operations. Since 2002, it has become globally recognized as the site of a U.S. military detention facility used in the War on Terror.
Historical Facts
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Oldest U.S. Overseas Naval Base: Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, often called "GTMO," is the oldest overseas U.S. Naval Base, established in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.
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Unique Lease Agreement: The United States has had a perpetual lease on the land since 1903, paying Cuba just $4,085 annually in rent—checks that the Cuban government has refused to cash since the 1960s.
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Strategic Location: Guantanamo Bay is located on the southeastern tip of Cuba, granting the U.S. military a strategic foothold in the Caribbean Sea.
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Historic Battle: During the Spanish-American War, U.S. Marines landed at Guantanamo Bay in June 1898 and fought the first U.S. ground action of the war on Cuban soil.
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Marine Barracks: The base has been continuously garrisoned by U.S. Marines since 1903, making it one of their longest-standing overseas postings.
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Guantanamo Detention Camp: Since 2002, the base has hosted a controversial detention facility for individuals captured during the War on Terror, drawing international attention and debate.
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“Cactus Curtain”: In the 1960s, Cuban troops planted dense cactus barriers and set up minefields along the base’s perimeter, a divide known as the “Cactus Curtain.”
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Unique Wildlife: The base is home to several species of iguanas and other wildlife, some of which are protected and have become unofficial mascots.
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Self-Contained Community: Guantanamo Bay is a self-contained community with its own schools, hospital, McDonald’s, and even a radio station, serving U.S. personnel and their families.
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Humanitarian Operations: The base has played a role in humanitarian missions, including housing Haitian and Cuban refugees during migration crises in the 1990s.
