The top US military commander in Latin America met Cuban military officials on Friday near the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, marking a rare high-level conversation between the two sides despite rising tensions between Washington and Havana.U.S. General Francis L. Donovan conducted what U.S. Southern Command described as a “brief exchange on operational security matters” with Cuban military leaders near the base. They also reviewed security conditions at Guantanamo Bay and discussed operational readiness and the security of U.S. personnel stationed there.The meeting comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on Cuba through sanctions, an oil blockade and an expanded military presence in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump has also adopted increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward Havana, warning earlier this year that Cuba “is next” after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a January operation. He has repeated this several times since then.Additionally, senior administration officials have continued contacts with Cuban counterparts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have met with Cuban officials in recent months to explore possible improvements in relations, though those efforts have reportedly made little progress and have been followed by additional US sanctions.The United States maintains its naval base at Guantanamo Bay despite decades of disputes with Cuba’s socialist government. Friday’s meeting took place against a backdrop of strained relations and increasing US pressure on the island nation.Separately, the Pentagon announced that a new contingent of about 1,300 sailors and Marines will replace the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been operating in the Caribbean since last summer.