Lease History and Legal Basis
The U.S. has controlled Guantanamo Bay under a lease signed in 1903 as part of the Cuban–American Treaty. The agreement was included in the Cuban–American Treaty of Relations following the Spanish–American War. The U.S. pays a recurring annual payment for the naval station.
Annual Payment Amount
The U.S. sends a check for $4,085 each year to the Cuban government. This figure is based on the original 1903 lease terms. Cuba has historically cashed only one of these checks, which is often cited as a political statement.
Current Status and Dispute
The U.S. maintains that the lease is valid and must be honored, while Cuba has called the presence illegal and demanded its return. The annual payment remains a symbolic point of contention. For more details on the lease terms, see the U.S. Department of State.
