Abstract
This chapter examines the history of relations between Cuba and the United States and the conflicts originating from U.S. economic and geostrategic interests in Cuba. The chapter identifies key features of the bilateral relationship, to set the stage for the discussion (in later chapters) on the implications of more recent developments for future engagement between the two sides.
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Notes
- 1.
The introduction to the Monroe Doctrine states: “the occasion has been judged proper for asserting, as a principle in which the rights and interests of the United States are involved, that the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers” (Monroe 1823).
- 2.
Cuba has been an exemplary tests case for U.S. policies toward Latin America and the Caribbean. Depending on the historic period, context, and particular circumstances, U.S. policies toward Cuba have been inspired by the Monroe Doctrine (since 1823); Manifest Destiny (since 1845); Big Stick Diplomacy (since 1901); Roosevelt Corollary (since 1904); Dollar Diplomacy (since 1909); Moral/Missionary Diplomacy (since 1913); Good Neighbor Policy (1930–beginning of the Cold War) or a combination of these.
- 3.
This excluded trade in foodstuffs, medicines, and medical equipment needed as part of humanitarian efforts.
- 4.
The 1992 Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) reinforced the embargo by prohibiting trade by subsidiaries of U.S. companies in third countries and prohibiting ships visiting Cuba from U.S. ports for 180 days. It lifted sanctions on medical sales, although it imposed such tough certification requirements that few sales have actually being materialized (The Cuba Consortium 2016, 21).
- 5.
The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 codified in law the economic sanctions against Cuba in the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR). The regulations established that they be lifted once Cuba becomes a democracy with a market economy and political parties. It also codified the executive authority of the U.S. president to license exceptions to the embargo (The Cuba Consortium 2016, 21).
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Laguardia Martinez, J., Chami, G., Montoute, A., Mohammed, D.A. (2020). The History and Background of Cuba-U.S. Relations (Until December 17, 2014). In: Changing Cuba-U.S. Relations. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20366-5_4
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