Final answer:
The US aimed to maintain a strong political presence in Cuba due to the island's strategic location and potential impact on national security. This was consistent with the Monroe Doctrine's goal to deter European colonialism and ensure regional hegemony. The Platt Amendment and US interventions reflect America's interest in influencing Cuba's political and economic trajectory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The desire of the United States to maintain a strong political presence in Cuba was primarily driven by strategic and economic interests. The strategic location of Cuba, just Ninety miles off the coast of Florida, has historically been critically important to American national security and economic interests. Preventing rival nations from establishing a foothold on the island was a key aspect of the Monroe Doctrine, which sought to limit European colonialism in the Americas.
Throughout much of the 20th century, US-Cuban relations have been marked by a series of interventions and policies aimed at protecting and promoting American interests. From supporting the undemocratic rule of Fulgencio Batista to opposing the rise of Communist movements led by Fidel Castro.
The United States policy evolved from tolerating authoritarian rule to a complete trade embargo, especially in light of Cuba's growing alliance with the Soviet Union and the subsequent missile crisis. The economic, political, and military provisions of the Platt Amendment, including the establishment of the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, underscored America's long-term objectives to keep Cuba within its sphere of influence.
While the US ostensibly supported Cuban independence and reconstruction, American policies were ultimately aimed at ensuring Cuba did not align with potential adversaries, such as the Soviet Union, and that it remained economically open to U.S. corporate interests. This dynamic underscored a broader American strategy to exert influence over political and economic developments within the Western Hemisphere as articulated by the Monroe Doctrine.