Relations between Cuba and the United States

Fidel Castro’s Rule, 1959-2008. Summary: Fidel Castro ruled as a totalitarian dictator for 49 years, and during the Cold War had close ties with the Soviet Union.

Raul Castro’s Rule, 2008 to present. Summary:  Raul Castro operates on the same principles as Fidel.

Cuban Ideology. Summary:  Cuba’s government today is explicitly socialist, as it has been for 50 years.

Individual Rights and Civil Liberties. Summary:  Cuba is a repressive totalitarian dictatorship in which the rights of individuals are subordinated to the needs of the state.

Economy. Summary:  The Cuban economy cannot operate without substantial foreign subsidies, and is deeply in debt.

Foreign Relations. Summary:  Cuba’s friends are other totalitarian dictatorships and other communist or socialist nations. Raul Castro and the Cuban Constitution both condemn the United States.

Philosophical principles. Summary: Cuba should be treated as an enemy because it has consistently and for decades espoused principles that are opposed to those of the United States, and has repeatedly threatened U.S. citizens and expropriated their property.

Why would Cuba even consider closer relations with the U.S.? Summary:  Improved relations with the U.S. would give Cuba more hard currency and the prestige of having “forced” the U.S. to back off its long-standing policy.

Why Cuba will probably not improve relations with the U.S. too much. Summary: Efficient dictators always make sure they have an enemy to distract their subjects.

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Sources Consulted

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