International Programs

Over the centuries, Cuba has remained a prominent player on both the Caribbean and world stages. The country has transitioned from one of Spain’s most valuable colonies, to a regional cultural and tourist destination, to a lynchpin in the Cold War.

Relations between Cuba and the United States have been mixed over the years. In 1898, the disputed sinking of the U.S.S. Maine precipitated the Spanish-American War, which saw Cuba freed from its Spanish colonial master (a title temporarily assumed by the U.S.), eventually gaining independence in 1902.

For decades thereafter Cuba was regarded as a tourist haven up through the end of the Second World War. The tumultuous period of the 1950s resulted in many Cubans migrating to the U.S., settling large communities in places like Florida and New York. Following the 1959 revolution, the failed “Bay of Pigs Invasion,” and the Cuban Missile Crisis, American tourism and investment were heavily restricted.

While seemingly distant – Cuba and the U.S. are separated by a mere 90 miles of water – the two countries are divided more by politics than geography. As it moves into the 21st century, Cuba is adapting to changing political and economic realities at home and abroad.