Senior U.S. and Cuban military officials held a rare face-to-face meeting near Guantanamo Bay on May 29, 2026, marking the first such engagement between the two armed forces in the area [1, 2]. The meeting involved Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of US Southern Command, and Cuban Army Corps Gen. Roberto Legra Sotolongo along with other senior Cuban military leaders [2].
The talks focused on operational security, force protection, the safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness [2]. Both sides described the discussions as positive and agreed to maintain communication despite ongoing political differences [1, 2]. Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces called the meeting "positive" and said issues of mutual interest were addressed [2].
Prior to the meeting, a US delegation led by CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana in May for talks on bilateral relations and security cooperation [2]. The military discussions near Guantanamo Bay followed that diplomatic engagement.
US Southern Command posted information about the meeting and a perimeter security assessment on the US social media platform X [2]. This public acknowledgement reflects a rare degree of transparency given the tense history between the two countries.
The meeting occurred amid heightened tensions caused by a US oil embargo imposed on Cuba starting January 30, 2026. The embargo followed an executive order by then-President Trump on January 29, 2026, threatening tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba [2]. As a result, Cuba currently faces severe fuel shortages and power outages [2].
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla condemned the embargo at the United Nations Security Council in late May 2026, stating Washington’s actions amount to an "act of war" through an energy blockade and are undermining international peace and security [2].
The next concrete step in the US-Cuba military dialogue has not been announced. However, both sides have agreed to continue communications, indicating more coordinated talks on security could follow.
