United States and Cuba Sign Maritime Boundary Treaty

The last treaty negotiated and signed between the United States and the Republic of Cuba was the Cuba-United States Maritime Boundary Agreement, signed on 16 December 1977, but never ratified by the United States Senate.  The two governments have maintained to respect the negotiated boundaries in absence of a treaty.

The new treaty is considered to be similar to the treaty of 1977; some view it as a replacement.

United States Department of State
Washington, DC
18 January 2017

Today in Washington, D.C., the United States signed a bilateral treaty with Cuba to delimit their maritime boundary in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The treaty delimits the only part of the U.S.-Cuba maritime boundary that had not previously been agreed, and covers an area of continental shelf in the eastern Gulf of Mexico that is more than 200 nautical miles from any country’s shore. The treaty is consistent with the longstanding U.S. goals to resolve our outstanding maritime boundaries and promote maritime safety and protection of the marine environment. Before entry into force, the treaty will warrant the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba
Havana, Republic of Cuba
18 January 2017

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2017 .- On Wednesday afternoon, the Treaty between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America on the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf was signed at the headquarters of the State Department in Washington. The Eastern Polygon of the Gulf of Mexico beyond 200 Nautical Miles. On the Cuban side signed the agreement José Ramón Cabañas Rodríguez, Cuba's ambassador to the United States, and the US side, Mari Carmen Aponte, special adviser for the Western Hemisphere Affairs of the State Department.

With the signing of this Agreement, the continental shelf between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America in the Eastern Polygon of the Gulf of Mexico was delimited, in accordance with International Law, beyond 200 Nautical Miles. This document provides legal certainty to the Parties for the exercise of their rights of jurisdiction and sovereignty over that maritime area.  (Cubaminrex-Embacuba United States)