| “ | VII. That to enable the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba, and to protect the people thereof, as well as for its defense, the government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points, to be agreed upon with the President of the United States. | ” |
Part seven of the Platt Amendment of 1901. The amendment was created by U.S. Congress and ratified by Cuba during the U.S. occupation of the island, 1898-1902.