The interests that exist between Cuba and America have been established long before independence and must be considered within the context of America attempting to sell off Cuba to the Spanish Empire, and not just once, but at numerous times. However beyond this founding history let us ask and explore where we are today.
The relative recent breakdown of relations
Whilst relations between Cuba and America briefly advanced following the Cold War the George Bush presidency saw relations deteriorate once more. This stemmed from Bush’s election campaign where much was promised in the way of opposition to the government of Fidel Castro and the supporting of embargo restrictions. Once in power however Bush began the expansion of travel restrictions, with the treasury issuing policies that further deterred the illegal travel to the islands.
These relations further broke down when George Bush was re-elected and he infamously declared that Cuba was one of the last few remaining “outposts of tyranny”; which culminated in heightened tensions following the Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs accusations that Cuba was holding biological weapons.
Relations today
After such a lengthy history of disputes and political hot potatoes today US – Cuba relations remain relatively difficult, this is despite the stepping down of Fidel Castro. That said, Obama has overseen improvements as compared to the years that immediately proceeded his presidency. This has seen Obama relax policies that impacted upon Cuba, with him also changing travel and trade restrictions for the benefit of Cuba. This was then replicated by efforts from Cuba by the Cuban president Raul Castro. Castro declared, that his government would be willing to hold talks with the US government and that they are further willing to “discuss anything”. This was quite remarkable given the chequered history of relations between the US and Cuba.
The current state of play
The situation between US and Cuba can very much be demonstrated by the secret meeting between Cuba and US officials which was actually hosted and overseen by the Pop in Vatican City. This culminated in a framework for ongoing relations improvements, which aims eventually to end the longstanding embargo with the instalment of the respective embassies placed in Havana and Washington.
When answering the question of who will win, or at the very least gain the upper hand, in US/Cuba relations it seems that the most relevant answer is to consider an ongoing approach of mutual respect and a focus upon strengthening relations, rather than going head to head, on both behalf’s.
However, for some time yet to come it seems unlikely, ultimately, that there will ever be, or should there be, any singular winner from what is an ongoing history of complex and conflicted relations.
