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Fidel Castro, 1959.

Castro, Fidel

1926- 2016

Cuba's National Capitol Building, January 2010.

Central America and Caribbean

Cuba

Cuban Foreign Relations

Soviet soldier taking a photograph of another soldier in Red Square, Moscow, 1959

Eastern Europe

Soviet Union

Executive Committee of the National Security Committee during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Aerial view of National Mall

North America

United States

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Central Africa

Angola

Cuba and Southern Africa

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Kudryavtsev, Sergey Mikhailovich

1915- 1998

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Alekseyev, Alexander Ivanovich

1913- 1989

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Soviet Union. Embassy (Cuba)

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Nikita Khrushchev at the UNGA, 1962.

Khrushchev, Nikita Sergeevich

1894- 1971

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South America

Brazil

President Ronald Reagan, Vice-President Bush, and oviet General Secretary Gorbachev

United States-Soviet Relations

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Castro Ruz, Raul Modesto

1931-

Portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, 1972.

East Asia

China

Fireworks over the closing ceremonies of the Seoul Olympics, 1988

1988 Seoul Olympic Games

Horn of Africa Crisis

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June 4, 1969	Cipher No. 6247 from Havana This document discusses Cuba's decision to send observers to a Soviet-led conference, highlighting their shift from a previously neutral position due to pressure from Brezhnev and the Soviet Politburo. The decision, driven by the desire to maintain Soviet support during a difficult period, was met with caution due to fears of Chinese economic retaliation, signaling potential tensions in Sino-Cuban relations. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
October 22, 1968	Letter from Dr. Baumann to Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Gen. Dr. Kiesewetter In a confidential letter to Deputy Minister Dr. Kiesewetter, Dr. Baumann discusses Cuba’s evolving relationship with socialist countries following Fidel Castro’s August 23, 1968, speech, which supported the USSR's actions in Czechoslovakia. While Cuba's stance brought it tactically closer to the Soviet bloc, ideological differences persist. Internal pressures, economic challenges, and pragmatic needs have led the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) to adopt a more flexible approach in relations with socialist nations, signaling an interest in strengthening state and party ties. Baumann notes this shift as an opportunity for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, although fundamental disagreements remain unchanged. The CPC's evolving conduct reflects both external influences and internal necessities, marking a cautious yet significant recalibration of its foreign policy. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
June 19, 1968	Letter, Charge d'Affaires Kulitzka to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Comrade Dr. Butzke, Head of the Latin America Department The letter from the GDR Embassy in Cuba outlines the outcomes of the Second Meeting of the Economic Committee, emphasizing progress in bilateral relations despite previous tensions. Significant agreements were reached for long-term economic cooperation, marking a turning point in restoring trust and fostering mutual benefit, which Cuba had previously resisted. The GDR positioned itself as a model for socialist collaboration by balancing international solidarity with pragmatic economic planning. These achievements are seen as laying the groundwork for strengthening Cuba's socialist development while improving its alignment with broader socialist bloc policies. The letter also highlights the need for careful follow-up and coordination with Berlin to sustain this momentum. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
November 17, 1964	Echo of Recent International Events in Cuba This document provides an in-depth analysis of Cuba's reactions to various international developments during late 1964. Cuban leaders were pleased with the radical anti-imperialist tone and diplomatic successes of the Cairo Conference of Non-Aligned Countries. Fidel Castro welcomed French President de Gaulle's anti-American stance during his Latin America trip, linking it to tensions in pro-American governments. The British Labour Party's election victory was viewed positively, fostering hopes for policies aligned with Cuba's interests. Domestically, Nikita Khrushchev's ousting in the USSR created distrust and concerns about the continuity of Soviet support. Lastly, Cuba cautiously celebrated China's first nuclear test, seeing it as a potential shift in global power dynamics favoring socialism. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
December 3, 1963	Erzsébet Görög, Charge d’affaires, 'Cuban Foreign Policy in the Light of Two Castro Speeches' This report analyzes the fluctuating nature of Cuban foreign policy under Fidel Castro, shaped by his unscripted speeches and reactions to international events. It highlights a tension between pro-Soviet and independent, anti-Soviet tendencies within the Cuban leadership, exacerbated by domestic frustrations and external pressures. Castro's September 28 speech emphasized Cuba's "own way" of socialism, creating speculation about distancing from Soviet policies, while his November 23 speech reaffirmed alignment with the Soviet Union and global peace efforts. These shifts reflect the complex interplay of internal dynamics, U.S.-Cuba relations, and the broader geopolitical context, underscoring the dual influences of ideological independence and dependency on Soviet support. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
February 27, 1967	Note on the Preliminary General Intelligence Situation This document outlines the isolation of Cuba within the Americas due to U.S. pressure, leaving Mexico and Canada as its only limited connections. It describes the Cuban Communist Party's (CPC) criticism of Latin American communist parties for their lack of commitment to armed struggle and its preference for guerrilla movements that align with Cuban leadership. The CPC’s structure and ideology are detailed, emphasizing its rejection of traditional Marxist approaches in favor of armed revolution led by the petty bourgeoisie, followed by proletarianization. The document also discusses the decline in Fidel Castro's popularity due to economic struggles, including stagnating agricultural production, reliance on sugar exports, and high emigration rates. The emigration process is heavily regulated, with emigrants subject to property confiscation, social ostracism, and loss of Cuban citizenship. It highlights the role of Committees for the Defense of the Revolution in monitoring citizens and enforcing state control, reflecting the CPC's focus on security and ideological conformity amidst economic and political challenges. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
February 3, 1968	Embassy of the GDR in the Republic of Cuba, 'Draft of a Concept for the Plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba from 24 to 26 January 1968' This document provides an analysis of the ideological and political developments in Cuba during the late 1960s, highlighting tensions within the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) and its strained relations with other socialist countries. It emphasizes that Cuba, under Fidel Castro, was unwavering in its revolutionary agenda despite setbacks such as Che Guevara's death, seeking to export its revolution while distancing itself from Marxist-Leninist orthodoxy. Domestically, the Cuban leadership prioritized economic stabilization and internal political consolidation, using military-like methods to address supply issues and promote agricultural output. The document also critiques the CPC's suppression of dissent, exemplified by its handling of the so-called "micro-fraction," and warns of worsening relations between Cuba and its socialist allies, particularly the USSR and the GDR, as the Cuban leadership pursued an independent, "Fidelist" ideological line. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
February 26, 1963	Copy of the Report of the Embassy in Havana Ddated February 26, 1963; Subject: 'The Political Situation in Cuba' Since the Cuban Missile Crisis, tensions in Cuba have gradually eased, with Cuban leaders increasingly accepting the Soviet Union’s position on security matters and regional policy. Soviet Ambassador Alekseev noted that Fidel Castro now understands the need for stability and is more inclined toward Soviet perspectives, though he avoids openly aligning with them to preserve Cuban autonomy. Chinese influence in Cuba's leadership has diminished, but remnants persist among some mid-level officials, while the newly forming Partido Unido de la Revolución Socialista (PURS) shows signs of deeper Soviet alignment. Although Fidel Castro dominates Cuban leadership, both he and the Soviet Union recognize that Cuba’s Communist leaders need time to fully embrace Marxist-Leninist principles. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
March 11, 1974	Stenographic Protocol of the Meeting between Todor Zhivkov and Raul Castro Rus Stenographic protocol of the meeting between Todor Zhivkov - First Secretary of the Central Committee of the BKP and Chairman of the State Council of the NRB, and the Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and First Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Cuba Raul Castro.
1962	Information on the Situation in the United Revolutionary Organizations of Cuba An Albanian party report testified to the worsening Soviet-Cuban relations in the wake of the missiles’ withdrawal, zeroing in on the “enraged” Fidel, who believed the Soviet leader treated Cuba not as a socialist country but as a satellite state