The Colonization of Cuba

Let’s start from the beginning. Cuba was originally inhabited by several Amerindian peoples until 1492 when Christopher Columbus, with his three ships, landed in Cuba and claimed it for Spain, naming it Isla Juana in honor of the Spanish crown’s heir. As history has shown us again and again, the arrival of colonizers leaves indelible traces. The local populations were enslaved, subjected to harsh living conditions, and decimated by the diseases brought by the Europeans.

From Spanish Rule to American Protectorate

Throughout the centuries, France and England made several attempts to seize the island, but with little success. In the second half of the 1800s, the Cuban bourgeoisie grew frustrated with the Spanish government’s policies and sought greater autonomy through two significant wars led by José Martí, later known as the “Father of the Fatherland.” Finally, in the late 1800s, with the support of the United States, Cuba freed itself from Spanish control and entered into an American protectorate. After a few years, Cuba achieved independence in 1902, marking a significant milestone for the country.

However, this newfound freedom was short-lived. The first president of the Republic of Cuba, Tomás Estrada Palma, faced opposition from veterans of the wars of independence. The fragile situation led to an uprising, but the US government intervened by militarily occupying Cuban territories and appointing an American governor to oversee the Republic. The United States increasingly interfered in Cuba’s affairs, with Governor Charles Edward Magoon being seen as a harbinger of political and social corruption on the island.

The Dictatorships

Let us delve into the history of our time. In 1924, Gerardo Machado was elected president, but he quickly transformed into a dictator, earning him the rather “sympathetic” nickname of “Tropical Mussolini.” Despite Machado’s unethical methods, tourism on the island experienced significant growth, leading to increased wealth. This was made possible through favorable economic relations with the United States until the Wall Street collapse in 1929. The American crisis cast a shadow on the Cuban president, and after a series of revolts, he was eventually forced into exile. Carlos Manuel de Céspedes assumed power in 1933 but was later ousted from the government following a military revolt led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista.

Batista managed to maintain control of the country for 25 years, implementing policies such as increasing police and military salaries, suppressing basic rights, outlawing the Communist Party, and reinstating the death penalty. He also significantly depleted currency reserves and escalated the country’s debt. With full support from the United States and the backing of one of the largest labor unions in Latin America, Batista’s rule continued until his exile in 1958.

The Cuban Revolution

We now find ourselves at the dawn of the Revolution. Fidel Castro, a Cuban lawyer, organized the fight against Batista’s dictatorship from Mexico after two failed insurrection attempts. Alongside Ernesto Guevara, an Argentine doctor, and Gino Donè Paro, known as “el italiano”, Castro led a group of 82 individuals who landed on the island and began rallying support among the citizens. They formed a people’s army that traversed the country, culminating in the decisive Battle of Santa Clara on December 30, 1958. On January 8, 1959, Castro and his rebels entered Havana, marking the beginning of a new and transformative era for Cuba. For the first time, the issue of racial equality was addressed, as private property was removed from many facilities, granting access to beaches, restaurants, and hotels for all Cubans, regardless of their race.

Castro’s policies led to the imprisonment of many Mafia leaders. Cuba is the only country in the world where the Mafia has suffered such a sharp fall. Initially, the United States supported the revolution to maintain good economic relations. When the nationalization of industries became important, the Americans pushed for a counter-revolution to avoid losing the excellent profits from sugar cane processing. This event led to the difficult situation that still exists today. The counterrevolution orchestrated by the Americans then led to the Cuban government’s approach to the Soviet Union.

Economical Challenges of Revolution: From Embargo to Slow Recovery

In 1961, the Americans imposed a total embargo on Cuba, forcing it to depend solely on the USSR. In 1962, Cuba was suspended by the Organization of American States (OAS), and the organization itself began imposing heavy sanctions on the island. Already in 1970, Castro admitted some mistakes made on economic policies, and in 1975, the OAS lifted the sanctions against the country. However, it was only in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, that Castro’s Cuba faced the “especial period.” China managed to mitigate the disastrous effects of the crisis a little together with the recent ALBA agreement, which, with more and more Latin American countries participating, provided a slow recovery of the country’s economic trade.

Cuba’s Political Transition: Protests and Repression

In 2006, Castro resigned, and his brother Raùl, elected president in 2008, came to power. Its policy allowed the opening up to new technologies such as DVDs, computers, mobile phones, and much more. Relations with the United States also began to change until the reopening of the American embassy on Cuban soil in 2015. In 2018, Raùl handed over the presidency to Miguel Dìaz-Canel, and in 2019, Manuel Marrero Cruz was elected prime minister.

In 2021, people poured into the streets to protest against the government led by the only legal party in the country, the Communist Party. President Canel gave the order for a counter-protest led by police and the military. The protesters, fighting against censorship, rising prices on medicines and necessities, and US sanctions, have been violently repressed.

The history of this country is not simple, and this small summary does not honor it, but it can be useful to remind us that not everything is black and white. The story is almost always a shade of gray, and as such, you have to consider all the possible plays of light and shadow.