History of Guantánamo Bay in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

Guantánamo Bay is a bay located in the Guantánamo Province in southeastern Cuba. It is the largest harbor on the island's south side. The bay is geographically isolated from the surrounding area due to steep hills.

1901: Platt Amendment incorporated in Cuban Constitution

In 1901, the newly-formed American protectorate incorporated the Platt Amendment in the Cuban Constitution.

February 23, 1903: Cuba offers perpetual lease for Guantánamo Bay area

On February 23, 1903, Tomás Estrada Palma, the first President of Cuba, offered a perpetual lease for the area around Guantánamo Bay.

1903: Guantanamo Bay lease agreement

Alfred-Maurice de Zayas has argued that the 1903 lease agreement was imposed on Cuba under duress and was a treaty between unequals, no longer compatible with modern international law, and voidable ex nunc.

1903: U.S. and Cuba sign lease granting use of land

In 1903, the United States and Cuba signed a lease granting the United States permission to use the land as a coaling and naval station. The lease satisfied the Platt Amendment.

1903: U.S. assumes territorial control over Guantánamo Bay

In 1903, the United States assumed territorial control over the southern portion of Guantánamo Bay under the 1903 Lease, exercising jurisdiction and control as the home of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, while recognizing Cuba's ultimate sovereignty.

1934: New Cuban-American Treaty of Relations

In 1934, a new Cuban-American Treaty of Relations reaffirmed the lease, granted Cuba and its trading partners free access through the bay, modified the lease payment, and made the lease permanent.

1953: Beginning of the Cuban Revolution

In 1953, the Cuban Revolution began.

1959: End of the Cuban Revolution

In 1959, the Cuban Revolution ended. Afterwards, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower insisted that the status of the base remain unchanged, despite Fidel Castro's objections.

August 1994: Rioting in Guantanamo detention camps

In August 1994, rioting broke out in the detention camps in Guantanamo Bay and 20 U.S. military police and 45 Haitians were injured.

2002: Detention of individuals deemed of risk to U.S. national security begins

Since 2002, the Guantanamo Bay base has been used for the detention of individuals deemed of risk to United States national security.

2009: Obama orders closure of detention camp

In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama gave orders for the detention camp to close by January 22, 2010.

January 22, 2010: Targeted closure date for detention camp passes without closure

On January 22, 2010, the U.S. President Barack Obama's targeted closure date for the detention camp passed without closure.

2021: Guantanamo Bay detention camp remains open

As of 2021, the Guantanamo Bay detention camp remains open due to a congressional refusal of funds for its closure.

January 2025: US to send and detain migrants in Guantanamo Bay

In January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump, said the US would send to and detain migrants in the base, resuming a practice that the US had employed at Guantanamo Bay previously over decades for migrants intercepted at sea.