WI: The US keeps the Isla de Juventad

According to Wikipedia, there was a dispute between Cuba and the US as to what to do with the island after Cuba got its independence which was only resolved later via a treaty in Cuba's favor. What if the US had kept the island, though, rather than recognizing Cuba's claims to it, seeing as most of the island was American owned at the time?
 

Driftless

Donor
There's also a string of very nearby keys that likely would be a consideration.

isla-juventud.jpg
 
According to Wikipedia, there was a dispute between Cuba and the US as to what to do with the island after Cuba got its independence which was only resolved later via a treaty in Cuba's favor. What if the US had kept the island, though, rather than recognizing Cuba's claims to it, seeing as most of the island was American owned at the time?

It would still be known as the "Isle of Pines".
 
Something interesting to think about is that if the same events occur as in OTL with a Cuban Revolution and US policy granting citizenship to Cubans that arrive on US soil is that now US soil would only be 30 miles away.
 
What effect would the normalization of American and Cuban relations have?

I thought about what Sevarics said about the US policy of granting citizenship to Cuban's who make it to US soil. With the normalization of American and Cuban relations and the location island making it easier for many Cubans to reach the US soil, does the US continue this policy?

Regards

Stubear1012
 

Driftless

Donor
I thought about what Sevarics said about the US policy of granting citizenship to Cuban's who make it to US soil. With the normalization of American and Cuban relations and the location island making it easier for many Cubans to reach the US soil, does the US continue this policy?

Regards

Stubear1012

A couple of questions related to this point:
* Would the Cuban coast guard/navy have extra patrols to prevent the locals from getting to the Isla? It's a smaller area to patrol than the whole northern coast (for those folks trying to get to Florida)
* Any successful immigrants to the Isla - would they stay there, or move on?
 
Top