Guantánamo Public Memory Project

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1964: The U.S. Reacts

The U.S reacts over the course of a week. President Johnson vows to make the base independent of Cuba, implying the installation of a desalination plant. Pressure gauges show that water is flowing but Naval officials decline to open it. Four out of five Cuban commuter workers on the base are labeled a “security risk” and fired. Cuban officials accuse the base officials of stealing water above the provided limit but they have not accepted any water. On February 17, the Base commander John D. Bulkeley gathers reporters to the northeast gate where he has excavated a large section and removes a 38 inch section of the pipe to show that it was dry. This proves to the press that the United States was not stealing water and was labeled a “tale of triumph” by the London Daily Telegraph.

Ultimately, Guantánamo Bay is unaffected and remains operational.