History of Cuban and US Relations

The history of Cuban and US relations is complex and tumultuous. The two countries have a long history of political and economic conflicts, dating back to the 19th century. In 1898, the US intervened in Cuba's war for independence from Spain, which led to the island's occupation by American forces. In the decades that followed, the US maintained a dominant economic and political presence in Cuba, supporting dictators and suppressing opposition movements.

In 1959, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrew the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista and established a communist government. This led to a deterioration of Cuban-US relations, with the US imposing a trade embargo on Cuba in 1962. The embargo has been in place for over 60 years, and has had a significant impact on Cuba's economy and society.

Throughout the Cold War, Cuba became a key ally of the Soviet Union, which further strained relations with the US. In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the two countries to the brink of nuclear war, but averted a catastrophe.

In recent years, there have been some signs of a thaw in Cuban-US relations. In 2014, President Barack Obama announced a normalization of diplomatic relations and relaxed some travel and trade restrictions. However, President Donald Trump reversed some of these policies, and relations have remained strained under the Biden administration.

The future of Cuban-US relations remains uncertain, but it is clear that the history of the two countries' relationship is a complex and often troubled one.