The short answer is that the United States got a really great lease on Guantanamo Bay. In 1903, Cuba signed a treaty agreeing to lease the harbor to the American government for $2,000 in gold coins annually. The treaty indicated that the United States could only use the 45-square-mile area as a naval base and that Cuban trading ships could pass freely through it. In 1934, the countries renegotiated the lease, but this time with fine print stipulating that the agreement could only be terminated through mutual consent from both countries. That’s the kicker. Because as long as the United States wants to keep the base, it remains in American hands. Needless to say, Fidel Castro is pretty irritated by the arrangement. In protest, he hasn’t cashed an American rent check since 1959.
Comments (6)
Comment
- subscribe /
- give a gift /
- terms of service /
- about /
- contact us /
- write for us /
- ad info /
- subscriber services /
- press /
- privacy policy /
- rss /
© 2012 Mental Floss Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mental Floss is a registered trademark owned by Felix Dennis. mentalfloss.com is a trademark owned by Felix Dennis.
Disclaimer: All submissions made to mental_floss become the property of Mental Floss Inc and may be used without further permission by the submitter and without compensation to the submitter. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not submit anything to mental_floss.
Rent check? I thought we had to send gold coins?!
posted by Speedmaster on 5-26-2009 at 12:25 pm
I understand the protest and the not wanting American money thing.. but does he realize he’s giving it to us for free now?
“I want these Americans off my island! I know! I will stop charging them rent! That’ll show ‘em! They’ll never want to stay for FREE! Muahahahaha!!”
posted by Bri on 5-26-2009 at 1:56 pm
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!! What was that?
The joke going over Speemaster and Bri’s heads.
posted by Antoine Bugleboy on 5-26-2009 at 4:25 pm
surely 2000 actual gold coins would end up being a fair bit of money?
posted by ben e on 5-28-2009 at 10:06 am
What is that whole ‘not cashing’ thing supposed to embarrass the US into giving up Guantanamo? Cause some people, or ahem, countries as it were—are shameless!! Especially since it does not seem as though the world gives a damn!
What is that place being used for now anyway other than to keep terrorists?
posted by anita on 7-28-2009 at 3:06 am
so if the contract was worth $2000 in gold coins in 1903 how much is it worth now especially after the 1934 renegotiation?
posted by ray07110 on 9-18-2011 at 7:40 pm