CUBA’S government on Tuesday called the presence of a United States nuclear-powered submarine at the Guantanamo Bay naval base for several days last week a “provocative escalation.”

A statement from Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the nuclear submarine was at the US naval base on the island from July 5 to July 8. 

The Cubans said they rejected the entry of the submarine into Guantanamo Bay and that it “constitutes a provocative escalation by the United States, whose political or strategic motives are unknown.”

The statement went on to say the US military base has occupied their territory for 121 years “against the will of the Cuban people.” 

“The presence of a nuclear submarine there at this time forces us to question what is the military reason for its presence in this peaceful region of the world, against what objective it is directed and what strategic purpose it is pursuing.”

The statement added: “The ministry reiterates its rejection of the US military presence in Cuba and its demand for the return of the illegally occupied territory in the province of Guantanamo.”

A US official said it was a logistics stop by the vessel at a US base on its way to maritime exercises.