Top U.S. general in Caribbean meets with Cuban military leaders near Guantanamo Bay as tensions simmer

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May 29, 2026 / 6:50 PM EDT

/ CBS News

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The head of the U.S. military's Southern Command met with top Cuban military officials Friday at the edge of the American naval base at Guantanamo Bay, SOUTHCOM announced, as President Trump heaps pressure on Cuba and does not rule out military action.Gen. Francis Donovan, commander of SOUTHCOM, held a "brief exchange on operational security matters" with Cuban Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, the U.S. military said on X.In the past, American and Cuban officers have periodically held "fence-line meetings" to discuss security at Guantanamo Bay, a constant point of tension between the two countries because Cuba regards the naval station — which predates the Castro government — as illegal.But it's far rarer for the head of SOUTHCOM, which oversees U.S. forces in the Caribbean and most of Latin America, to meet with senior Cuban officials.