Latin America Challenge 13

Question

I've been reading lately about the history of Latin America (which I was never taught in school) and I am surprised by the ways in which the USA has shaped modern Cuba, beginning in 1898 when it helped the Cubans expel Spain. Skipping ahead almost 60 years, there was a series of actions in response the Cuban revolution. Here is a quick (undoubtedly inadequate) summary:

• Cuba nationalized hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of US property.
• The US abruptly reduced the amount of sugar it would buy. (The US was Cuba's biggest customer for sugar at the time.)
• The Soviet Union offered Cuba petroleum at below-market rates.
• US refineries in Cuba refused to refine the oil.
• Cuba nationalized the US refineries.
• The US retaliated by canceling the sugar agreement completely.
• Cuba nationalized more US-owned businesses.
• The US imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, then broke diplomatic ties.
• The Soviet Union and its allies became the major market for Cuban sugar and other exports, while providing Cuba with cheap oil, military hardware, low-interest loans and other support.

Today's Challenge: What do you think the US should have done? What would Cuba be like today if the US had reacted differently?

I hope this challenge opens up a thoughtful discussion and not just a can of worms!

Answer 1

Whatever happened in the past is of little consequence in todays world,

there is no longer a reason ,or indeed any sense in the US imposing

an embargo on a country which has the potential to be an ally and a beneficial

trading partner. Forget the past and look to the future, both countries have much

to give each other and much to gain , and I doubt that there are any great

idealogical differences between Cuba and the US any longer so shake hands

and get on with life .

I agree. I keep hoping Obama will normalize relations with Cuba. Indeed there is much to be gained on both sides. - LaBurra, Aug 24, 2011

Yes , and I do not think there is the fear there any more from either country , I say ," bring it on " . - ray76, Aug 24, 2011

Answer 2

Wish this had got more discussion. What I understand is that the US practically drove Castro to ally with the Russians. If the US has not done so many knee jerk reactions, we might have normal relations with Cuba today.

Answer 3

I recommend you crosscheck these historic events. Diversify your sources.

I agree , what is missing are the many years of corruption by the Batista Government pre Revoltión , plus the "Bay of Pigs fiasco" etc . - ray76, Aug 24, 2011

I drew my list of events from two different text books, one a history of Latin America, the other of the Caribbean, different authors. I picked an arbitrary start date & left out many details. - LaBurra, Aug 24, 2011

Please fill in the important facts I left out. - LaBurra, Aug 24, 2011

What you did was great LaBurra , no criticism at all , just happy to see the discussion progress further mate , well done! - ray76, Aug 24, 2011