Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

"Gitmo" redirects here. For other uses, seeGitmo (disambiguation).

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
Leeward Point Field
Guantánamo BayinCuba
Aerial view of Bulkeley Hall, the headquarters and administration building at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
NS Guantanamo Bay Location of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base inCuba
Coordinates	19°55′03″N75°09′36″W
Type	United States militarybase
Site information
Owner	Government of Cuba(de jure) U.S. federal government(de facto)
Operator	United States Navy
Controlled by	Navy Region Southeast
Condition	Operational
Website	cnrse.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NS-Guantanamo-Bay/
Site history
Built	1903(1903)
In use	1903 – present
Garrison information
Current commander	CaptainSamuel White
Garrison	Joint Task Force Guantanamo
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA:NBW,ICAO:MUGM,WMO:783670
Elevation	17 meters (56 ft)AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 10/28 2,438 meters (7,999 ft)Asphalt

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base(Spanish:Base Naval de la Bahía de Guantánamo), officially known asNaval Station Guantanamo BayorNSGB,(also calledGTMO,pronouncedGitmo/ˈɡɪtmoʊ/GIT-mohas jargon by members of theU.S. military) is a United States military base located on 45 square miles (117 km²) of land and wateron the shore ofGuantánamo Bayat the southeastern end ofCuba.It has been leased to the United States with no end date since 1903 as acoaling stationandnaval base,making it the oldest overseas U.S. naval base.The lease was $2,000 in gold per year until 1934, when the payment was set tomatch the value of gold in dollars;in 1974, the yearly lease was set to $4,085.

Sincetaking power in 1959,the Cubancommunistgovernment has consistently protested against the U.S. presence on Cuban soil, arguing that the base "was imposed on Cuba by force" and is "illegal under international law." Since 2002, the naval base has containeda military prison,for allegedunlawful combatantscaptured inAfghanistan,Iraq,and other places during theWar on Terror.Cases of allegedtortureof prisonersby the U.S. military, and their denial of protection under theGeneva Conventions,have been criticized.

The 1903 lease has no fixed expiration date;as such, it can only be ended if the US Navy decided to abandon the area or both countries agreed mutually to end the lease.

Geography

Map of Guantánamo Bay showing approximate U.S. Naval Base boundaries

Enlargeable, detailed map of Guantánamo Bay Naval Base

The Naval Base occupies three main geographical sections: Leeward Point, Windward Point, andGuantánamo Bay.Guantánamo Bay physically divides the Naval Station into sections. The bay extends past the boundaries of the base into Cuba, where the bay is then referred to as Bahía de Guantánamo. Guantánamo Bay contains severalcays,which are identified as Hospital Cay, Medico Cay, North Toro Cay, and South Toro Cay.

Leeward Point of the Naval Station is the site of the active airfield. Major geographical features on Leeward Point include Mohomilla Bay and theGuantánamo River.Three beaches exist on the Leeward side. Two are available for use by base residents, while the third, Hicacal Beach, is closed. Nearby is the US Naval Cemetery at Guantanamo Bay, also known as Cuzco Wells Cemetery. The cemetery holds over 350 burials including that of Captain Henry Smith who died as a result of injuries received during the sinking of his ship the SS Delmundo by theGerman submarine U-600on 13 August 1942.

Windward Point contains most of the activities at the Naval Station. There are nine beaches available to base personnel. The highest point on the base is John Paul Jones Hill (named after theRevolutionary Warhero of the same name) at a total of 495 feet (151 m).The geography of Windward Point is such that there are many coves and peninsulas along the bay shoreline providing ideal areas for mooring ships. According to Stephen Benz, Stephen Crane described the area as "craggy" and "cut with ravines."He also described the coastline as covered in ridges and "chalky cliffs".

History

See also:Timeline of Guantánamo BayandList of commanders of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

The base in 1916

Spanish era

The area surrounding Guantanamo Bay was originally inhabited by theTaíno people.On 30 April 1494,Christopher Columbus,on his second voyage, arrived and spent the night. The place where Columbus landed is now known as Fisherman's Point. Columbus declared the bayPuerto Grande.The bay and surrounding areas briefly came underBritishcontrol during theWar of Jenkins' Ear.Prior to the outbreak of the conflict, the bay was referred to asWalthenham Harborby British cartographers. The British expeditionary force renamed the bayCumberland Bay.They eventually retreated from the area after an attempt to march toSantiago de Cubawas repulsed bySpanish troops.

Spanish–American War

Main articles:Spanish–American WarandBattle of Guantánamo Bay

During the Spanish–American War, theU.S. fleetattacking SantiagosecuredGuantánamo's harbor for protection during thehurricane season of 1898.The Marines landed at Guantanamo Bay with naval support, and American and Cuban forces routed the defending Spanish troops. There is a monument on McCalla Hill to one Navy officer and five Marines who died in battle at Guantanamo Bay.

The war ended with theTreaty of Paris of 1898,in which Spain formally relinquished control of Cuba. Although the war was over, the United States maintained a strong military presence on the island. In 1901 the United States government passed thePlatt Amendmentas part of an Army Appropriations Bill.Section VII of this amendment read

That to enable the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba, and to protect the people thereof, as well as for its own defense, the government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points to be agreed upon with the President of the United States.

After initial resistance by the Cuban Constitutional Convention, the Platt Amendment was incorporated into theConstitutionof theRepublic of Cubain 1901.The Constitution took effect in 1902, and land for a naval base at Guantanamo Bay was granted to the United States the following year.

Permanent lease

See also:Cuban–American Treaty of Relations (1903)

Agreement for the lease to the United States of lands in Cuba for coaling and naval stations
Signed	16 February 1903(1903-02-16);23 February 1903
Location	Havana;Washington
Effective	23 February 1903
Signatories	Cuba United States
Citations	TS418; 6Bevans1113

Agreement providing conditions for the lease of coaling or naval stations
Signed	2 July 1903(1903-07-02)
Location	Havana
Effective	6 October 1903
Signatories	Cuba United States
Citations	TS426; 6Bevans1120

The 1903 lease agreement, which has no fixed expiration date,was executed in two parts. The first, signed in February, consisted of the following provisions:

1. Agreement– The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba, desiring to maintain the Independence of Cuba, will enter into a lease for lands necessary for US Naval Stations.
2. Article 1– Describes the boundaries of the areas being leased, Guantanamo Bay and Bahia Honda.
3. Article 2– The U.S. may occupy, use, and modify the properties to fit the needs of a coaling and naval station, only. Vessels in the Cuban trade shall have free passage.
4. Article 3– Cuba retains ultimate sovereignty, but during the occupation, the U.S. exercises sole jurisdiction over the areas described in Article 1. Under conditions to be agreed on, the U.S. has the right to acquire, by purchase or eminent domain, any land included therein.

The second part, signed five months later in July 1903, consisted of the following provisions:

1. Article 1– Payment is $2000 gold coin, annually. All private lands within the boundaries shall be acquired by Cuba. The U.S. will advance rental payments to Cuba to facilitate those purchases.
2. Article 2– The U.S. shall pay for a survey of the sites and mark the boundaries with fences.
3. Article 3– There will be no commercial or other enterprise within the leased areas.
4. Article 4– Mutual extradition
5. Article 5– Not ports of entry.
6. Article 6– Ships shall be subject to Cuban port police. The U.S. will not obstruct entry or departure into the bay.
7. Article 7– This proposal is open for seven months.

SIGNED Theodore Roosevelt and Jose M Garcia Montes.

In 1934, the United States unilaterally changed the payment from gold coin to U.S. dollars per theGold Reserve Act.The lease amount was set at US$3,386.25, based on the price of gold at the time.In 1973, the U.S. adjusted the lease amount to $3,676.50, and in 1974 to $4,085, based on further increases to the price of gold in USD.Payments have been sent annually, but only one lease payment has been accepted since theCuban RevolutionandFidel Castroclaimed that this check was deposited due to confusion in 1959. The Cuban government has not deposited any other lease check since that time.

Shards from 1906

Before and during World War II

The Naval Base became a prime area for winter training for the Atlantic fleet. Due to the large increase in population during the training months, the Naval Base quickly established facilities to support everyday functions. Construction of the Guantanamo Bay fleet range system began as early as 1905 under Captain Rogers. Four primary ranges were built during its construction: Range Alpha, Range Beta, Range Charlie, and Range Delta. Due to the size of the base, sections were shut down in order for range operations to proceed. Ironically, the concrete range system's size and cost led to its downfall. Strong evidence suggests the fleet ranges were used throughout World War I and the beginning of World War II.

DuringWorld War II,the base was set up to use a nondescript number for postal operations. The base used theFleet Post Office,Atlantic, inNew York City,with the address: 115 FPO NY.The base was also an important intermediate distribution point formerchant shippingconvoysfrom New York City andKey West, Florida,to thePanama Canaland the islands ofPuerto Rico,Jamaica,andTrinidad and Tobago.

Cold War and beyond

United States–Cuban border, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

From 1953 to 1959, thousands of Cubans commuted daily from outside the base to jobs within it. In mid-1958, vehicular traffic was stopped; workers were required to walk through the base's several gates. Public Works Center buses were pressed into service almost overnight to carry the tides of workers to and from the gate.

The "Cactus Curtain" is a term describing the line separating the naval base from Cuban-controlled territory,an allusion to Europe'sIron Curtain,theBamboo Curtainin East Asia, and the similarIce Curtainin theBering Strait.After theCuban Revolution,some Cubans sought refuge on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. In late 1961, Cuban troops planted an 8-mile (13 km) long, 10-foot (3.0 m) widebarrier ofOpuntia(prickly pear) cactus along the northeastern section of the 17-mile (27 km) fence surrounding the base in order to prevent checkpoint evasion when moving between the base and Cuba proper.

The curtain forms part of a "no man's land"that encircles the base.This area is complete with perimeter patrols, outposts featuring sandbags, and watchtowers,and has been complemented with barbed wire fences, minefields, and cacti.Apart from the cacti, both U.S. and Cuban troops erected, maintained, and otherwise manned these defenses, primarily to prevent checkpoint evasion and possible invasion from the other side.

U.S. Marines stack up landmines fordisposalin July 1997.

U.S. and Cuban troops placed some 55,000anti-personnelandanti-tankland minesacross the "no man's land" around the perimeter of the naval base,creating the second-largest minefield in the world, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere.Initially, the mines were laid down by US troops, who also laid down signs stating that the landmines were "precautions" and should not be viewed as "aggressive".In response, Cuban troops also laid down their own mines, with both sides completing their minefields in 1961.Between 1961 and 1965, landmine explosions resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people, including as the result of engineering accidents and late-night partygoers.On 16 May 1996, U.S. PresidentBill Clintonordered thedeminingof the American field. They have since been replaced withmotionand sound sensors to detect intruders on the base. The Cuban government has not removed its corresponding minefield outside the perimeter.

During theCuban Missile Crisisin 1962, the families of military personnel were evacuated from the base. Notified of the evacuation on 22 October, evacuees were told to pack one suitcase per family member, to bring evacuation and immunization cards, to tie pets in the yard, to leave the keys to the house on the dining table, and to wait in front of the house for buses.Dependents travelled to the airfield for flights to the United States, or to ports for passage aboard evacuation ships. After the crisis was resolved, family members were allowed to return to the base in December 1962.

From 1939, the base's water was supplied by pipelines that drew water from theYaterasRiver about 4.5 miles (7 km) northeast of the base. The U.S. government paid a fee for this; in 1964, it was about $14,000 a month for about 2.5 million U.S. gal (9,000 m³) per day. In 1964, the Cuban government stopped the flow. The base had about 14 million U.S. gal (50,000 m³) of water in storage, and strict water conservation was put into effect immediately. The U.S. first imported water fromJamaicaby barge, then relocated adesalinationplant from San Diego (Point Loma). When the Cuban government accused the United States of "stealing water", base commanderJohn D. Bulkeleyordered that the pipelines be cut and a section removed. A 38 in (97 cm) length of the 14 in (36 cm) diameter pipe and a 20 in (51 cm) length of the 10 in (25 cm) diameter pipe were lifted from the ground and the openings sealed.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the base had problems with alcohol and racial tension.Harassment and strip searches also became a regular occurrence for Cuban workers on the base.

United States training shipMonongahela,around 1903

Several old guns from theUSSMonongahela(1862)have been salvaged and placed around the base. The old warship served as astoreshipat Guantanamo until destroyed by fire on 17 March 1908. A 4-inch (100 mm) gun was salvaged from her wreck and put on display at the Naval Station. Since the gun was deformed by the heat from the fire, it was nicknamed "Old Droopy". A similar gun, possibly also salvaged from theMonongahela,is on display near the Bay View Club on the Naval Station.

By 2006, only two elderly Cubans, Luis Delarosa and Harry Henry, still crossed the base's North East Gate daily to work on the base, because the Cuban government prohibited new recruitment since 1959. They both retired at the end of 2012.At theUnited Nations Human Rights Councilin 2013, Cuba's Foreign Minister demanded the U.S. return the base.

Current operations

Wind turbines atop John Paul Jones Hill, the highest point on the base

The military facility has over 8,500U.S. sailorsandMarinesstationed there.It is the only military base the U.S. maintains in asocialist country.

In 2005, the U.S. Navy completed a $12 millionwind-powerproject at the base, erecting four 950 kilowatt, 275-foot tall (84 m)wind turbines,reducing the reliance ondiesel fuelto power the existing diesel generators (the base's primaryelectricity generation).In 2006, the wind turbines reduced diesel fuel consumption by 650,000 U.S. gallons (2.5 million liters) annually.

Units and commands

Access to the Naval Station is very limited and must be pre-approved through the appropriate local chain of command with the Commander of the station as the final approval. Since berthing facilities are limited, visitors must be sponsored indicating that they have an approved residence for the duration of the visit.

Resident units

• Headquarters, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
• Customer Service Desk (CSD)
• Joint Task Force Guantanamo
  • Headquarters, JTF Guantanamo
  • Joint Detention Group
  • Joint Intelligence Group
  • Joint Medical Group
  • U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Detachment Guantanamo Bay
  • AFN Guantanamo Bayradio and television unit
• Marine Corps Security Force Company
• Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment Guantanamo Bay
• Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay
• Navy Supply
• Navy Security Forces
• SEABEE Detachment
• U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Detachment Guantanamo Bay

Assigned units

• Fleet Composite Squadron Ten (VC-10)(1965–1993)
• U.S. Marine Corps Ground Defense Force (GDF) (1971–2000 [Redesignated as Marine Corps Security Forces Company on 1 Sep 2000])
• Naval Security Group Activity (Company L) (1966–2001)
• Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) (1903–1995)
• Fleet Training Group (FTG) (1943–1995)

Homeported watercraft

• YC 1639 (open lighter)
• Leeward(YFB-92) (ferry boat)
• Windward(YFB-93) (ferry boat)
• YON 258 (non-self propelled fuel oil barge)
• USSWanamassa(YTB-820)(large harbor tug)
• LCU 1671 and MK-8: landing craft used as an alternate ferry for transportation to areas inaccessible by the primary ferry and for moving hazardous cargo.
• GTMO-5, GTMO-6 and GTMO-7 (50-ft. utility boats): used for personnel transportation during off-ferry hours.

Civilian contractors

Besides servicemembers, the base houses a large number of civilian contractors working for the military. Many of these contractors are migrant workers fromJamaicaand thePhilippines,and are thought to constitute up to 40% of the base's population.

Major contractors working at NSGB have included the following:

• KBR
• Schuyler Line Navigation Company (SLNC)
• Satellite Communication Systems Incorporated
• Centerra
• EMCOR
• Islands Mechanical Contractor
• Munilla Construction Management
• RQ Construction
• MCM Construction
• J&J Worldwide Services

Cargo shipping

Ocean transportation is provided by Schuyler Line Navigation Company, a U.S. Flag Ocean Carrier. Schuyler Line operates under government contract to supply sustainment and building supplies to the base.

Airfields

There are two airfields within the base,Leeward Point Fieldand McCalla Field. Leeward Point Field is the active military airfield, with theICAOcode MUGM andIATAcode NBW.McCalla Field was designated as the auxiliary landing field in 1970s, but was no longer a viable airfield by the 1990s.

Leeward Point Field

Leeward Point Field was constructed with a 6,000-foot main runway in 1943;the runway was extended in 1953 to 8,000 feet to accommodate jet aircraft.

Leeward Point Field has a single active runway, 10/28, measuring 8,000 ft (2,400 m).The former runway, 9/27 was 8,500 ft (2,600 m). Currently, Leeward Point Field operates several aircraft and helicopters supporting base operations. Leeward Point Field was home to Fleet Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10) until the unit was phased out in 1993. VC-10 was one of the last active-duty squadrons flying theDouglas A-4 Skyhawk.

McCalla Field

McCalla Field was established in 1931and remained operational until 1970. The airfield was named forBowman H. McCalla,who was aUnited States Navyadmiralin charge of theBattle of Guantánamo Bay.The current field was expanded in 1941 when the original grass runway was replaced.Naval Air Station Guantanamo Bay was officially established 1 February 1941. Aircraft routinely operating out of McCalla includedJRF-5,N3N,J2F,C-1 Trader,and dirigibles.

The airfield was deactivated in the 1970s and was used to house Cuban and Haitian refugees beginning in the 1990s.Sometime between 1996 and 2001, the refugee camps were dismantled and the area became a collection of abandoned buildings.McCalla Field is now listed as a closed airfield. The USN aviation assets are now located across the bay atLeeward Point Field,about 1.5 miles to the west.

After the events ofSeptember 11,the area was reevaluated as a possible location for a detention facility.Camp Justiceis now located on the grounds of the former airfield.

The area formerly consisted of three runways, all now closed: 1/19 at 4,500 ft (1,400 m), 14/32 at 2,210 ft (670 m), and 10/28 at 1,850 ft (560 m).

The former airfield resides at anelevationof 60 ft (18 m) abovemean sea level.

Detention camp

Main articles:Guantanamo Bay detention campandCuban refugees at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

The entrance to Camp 1 in detention camp's Camp Delta

Beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century, the base was used to house Cuban andHaitian refugeesintercepted on the high seas. In the early 1990s, it held refugees who fled Haiti after military forces overthrew presidentJean-Bertrand Aristide.These refugees were held in a detainment area calledCamp BulkeleyuntilUnited States district courtJudgeSterling Johnson, Jr.declared the camp unconstitutional on 8 June 1993. This decision was latervacated.The last Haitian migrants departed Guantanamo on 1 November 1995.

Beginning in 2002, following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, started in response to theSeptember 11 attacks,a small portion of the base was used to detain several hundred individuals with ties or suspected ties to Islamic terrorist groups such asal-Qaedaand theTaliban.These detainees were not afforded POW status or facing formal charges but instead designatedenemy combatants;assigned to confinement inCamp Delta,Camp Echo,Camp Iguana,and the now-closedCamp X-Ray.In litigation regarding the availability offundamental rightsto those imprisoned at the base, theU.S. Supreme Courthas recognized that the detainees "have been imprisoned in territory over which the United States exercises exclusive jurisdiction and control."Therefore, the detainees have the fundamental right todue process of lawunder theFifth Amendment.A district court has since held that the "Geneva Conventions applied to the Taliban detainees, but not to members of Al-Qaeda terrorist organization."

On 10 June 2006, theDepartment of Defensereported that three Guantanamo Bay detaineestook their own lives.The military reported the men hanged themselves with nooses made of sheets and clothes.Astudy published by Seton HallLaw's Center for Policy and Research, while making no conclusions regarding what actually transpired, asserts that the military investigation failed to address significant issues detailed in that report.

On 6 September 2006, PresidentGeorge W. Bushannounced that alleged or non-alleged combatants held by the CIA would be transferred to the custody of Department of Defense, and held at Guantanamo Prison. Of approximately 500 prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, only 10 have beentriedby theGuantanamo military commission,but all cases have been stayed pending the adjustments being made to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court decision inHamdi v. Rumsfeld.

In January 2009,President Obamasigned an executive order directing the closing of the Guantánamo detention camp within a year.This plan was thwarted for the time being on 20 May 2009, when theUnited States Senatevoted to keep the prison at Guantanamo Bay open for the foreseeable future and forbid the transfer of any detainees to facilities in the United States. SenatorDaniel Inouye,a Democrat from Hawaii and chairman of the appropriations committee, said he favored keeping Guantanamo open until Obama produced a "coherent plan for closing the prison." Consequently, Obama decided to postpone difficult decisions on the details for at least six months.On 7 March 2011, Obama issued a new executive order permitting indefinite detention of Guantánamo detainees.This decision was codified into federal law by provision added to theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

In early February 2021, the administration of U.S. PresidentJoe Bidendeclared his intention to shut down the facility before he leaves office.In July 2021, an additional detainee was released.

In June 2022, an Afghan prisoner held at Guantanamo Bay for about 15 years without trial was released.

In February 2023, three prisoners were released from Guantanamo Bay.Majid Khan,who pled guilty before a Military Commission in 2012, had completed his sentence of 10 years, and was released toBelize.BrothersAbdul Al-Rahim Ghulam RabbaniandMohammed Ahmad Ghulam Rabbani,whose detentions were deemed no longer necessary in order to protect the United States from a national security threat, were released and repatriated to the government ofPakistan.

In March 2023,Ghassan al-Sharbiwas released to his home country ofSaudi Arabiafrom Guantanamo Bay, after being deemed no longer necessary to detain in order to protect the United States from a national security threat.

As of December 2023,30 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.

In June 2023, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-TerrorismFionnuala Ní Aoláinreleased her final report on the detention center. The report concludes that prisoners endure "ongoing cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" and that the detention center should be closed.

Represented businesses

The Guantanamo McDonald's restaurant in 2006

Despite the prohibition on the establishment of "commercial or other enterprises" as stated in Article 3 of the second part of the lease, several recognized American food outlets have been opened at the military base. Most of the restaurants on the installation arefranchiseswhich are owned and operated by theDepartment of the Navy.Proceeds from these restaurants are used to supportMorale, Welfare and Recreation(MWR) activities for service personnel and their families.These restaurants are located inside the base; as such, they are not accessible to Cubans.

ABaskin-Robbinsice cream stand, which opened in the 1980s, was one of the firstbusiness franchisesallowed on the base.In early 1986, the base added the first and onlyMcDonald'srestaurant within Cuba.ASubwayrestaurant was opened in 1987 and closed in 1994 when theNavy Departmentrefused to renew the lease. AHootersrestaurant was opened in 2002.In 2004, a combinedKFCandA&Wrestaurant was opened at the bowling alley and aPizza HutExpress was added to the Windjammer Restaurant.There is also a cafe that sellsStarbuckscoffee, and there is a combined KFC andTaco Bellrestaurant.

Education and schooling

Department of Defense Education Activity(DoDEA) provides for the education of dependent personnel with two schools. Both schools are named for Rear AdmiralWilliam Thomas Sampson.W.T. Sampson Elementary Schoolserves grades K–5 andW. T. Sampson High Schoolserves grades 6–12. The Villamar Child Development Center provides child care for dependents from six weeks to five years old. MWR operates a Youth Center that provides activities for dependents.

Some former students of Guantánamo have shared stories of their experiences with the Guantánamo Public Memory Project.The 2013 documentaryGuantanamo Circusdirected byChristina Linhardtand Michael Rose reveals a glimpse of day-to-day life on GTMO as seen through the eyes of circus performers who visit the base.It is used as a reference by the Guantánamo Public Memory Project.

Climate

The bay has an annual rainfall of about 24 in (610 mm).The amount of rainfall has resulted in the base being classified as a semi-arid desert environment.The annual average high temperature on the base is 88.2 °F (31.2 °C), the annual average low is 72.5 °F (22.5 °C).

Climate data for Guantanamo Bay
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	84 (29)	84 (29)	86 (30)	88 (31)	88 (31)	90 (32)	91 (33)	91 (33)	91 (33)	90 (32)	88 (31)	86 (30)	88.2 (31.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	68 (20)	68 (20)	70 (21)	72 (22)	73 (23)	75 (24)	75 (24)	75 (24)	75 (24)	75 (24)	73 (23)	70 (21)	72.5 (22.5)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm)	1.0 (25)	0.9 (23)	1.2 (30)	1.3 (33)	3.6 (91)	2.1 (53)	1.1 (28)	1.9 (48)	3.1 (80)	5.1 (130)	1.8 (46)	1.1 (28)	24.4 (620)
Source: Weatherbase

Notable people

Notable people born at the naval base include actorPeter Bergmanand American guitaristIsaac Guillory.

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
• Cuba–United States relations
• A Few Good Men– A play byAaron Sorkin,and later afilm adaptationabout an unlawfulhazingincident taking place amongst marines at the naval base in 1986.
• The Road to Guantanamo– A docudrama directed by Michael Winterbottom about the incarceration of three British detainees at the naval base.
• Cuban–American Treaty of Relations
• Panama Canal Zone
• Pituffik Space Base,an American space base in Greenland with a similar lease agreement

Further reading

• Alfred de Zayas (July 2004). "The Status of Guantanamo Bay and the Status of the Detainees" inUniversity of British Columbia Law Review,vol. 37. pp. 277–34.
  • A. de Zayas (2012). "Guantanamo Naval Base" inMax Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law.Oxford University Press.
• Jonathan M. Hansen (2011).Guantánamo: An American History.New York: Hill and Wang.
• Mason, Theodore K. (1984).Beyond the Cactus Curtain: The Story of Guantanamo Bay.New York: Dodd, Mead.

External links

• Official website
• Virtual 3D Walkthrough of Camp Delta (from the Art project Zone*Interdite)Archived26 March 2021 at theWayback Machine