The United States and Cuba

This chapter argues that the United States and Cuba have never had normal relations even when embassies operated in Washington and Havana until 1961. In 1975, the Organization of American States (OAS) ended multilateral trade sanctions that had been levied in 1964 to isolate Cuba, with the United States voting with the majority. In September, Cuba introduced a resolution at the United Nations calling for Puerto Rican independence. In November, Castro sent 36,000 troops to support the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) against two CIA-backed Angolan groups and the South African army. In the 1990's, the Cuban Democracy Act and, in particular, Helms Burton conditioned better relations on a democratic transition and respect for human rights. Obama's policy mostly turned the page on scolding Havana and, instead, embraced dialogue and engagement, a sign that the great power had opted for respect.