US-Cuba Relations Timeline

Click here for a timeline of the lengthy conflict between the two countries

In order to explore changing US-Cuba policy, it is important to first understand the history of the conflict. This timeline shows the major events that have taken place in the past 100+ years.

Trust has been a major problem between Cuba and the US. Especially over the last 50 years, the two countries have done a lot to lose each other’s trust. Below are some of these major events:

1960: All US businesses in Cuba are nationalised without compensation; US breaks off diplomatic relations with Havana and imposes a trade embargo in response to Castro’s reforms.

1961: US backs an abortive invasion by Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs; Castro proclaims Cuba a communist state and begins to ally it with the USSR.

1961: The CIA begins to make plans to assassinate Castro as part of Operation Mongoose. At least five plans to kill the Cuban leader were drawn up between 1961 and 1963.

1962: Cuban missile crisis ignites when, fearing a US invasion, Castro agrees to allow the USSR to deploy nuclear missiles on the island. The US released photos of Soviet nuclear missile silos in Cuba – triggering a crisis which took the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.

It was subsequently resolved when the USSR agreed to remove the missiles in return for the withdrawal of US nuclear missiles from Turkey.

1996: US trade embargo made permanent in response to Cuba’s shooting down of two US aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles.

May 2002: US Under Secretary of State John Bolton accuses Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons, adding the country to Washington’s list of “axis of evil” countries.

February 2006: A propaganda war breaks out in Havana as President Castro unveils a monument which blocks the view of illuminated messages – some of them about human rights – displayed on the US mission building.

The mistrust over the years has caused a great amount of tension. If relations are going to change, a period of trust is needed.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3182150.stm

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