Cuba & U.S.

Relations
BY:
DYLAN GRANT

Castro Breaks Ties

The U.S. originally accepted Cuba since they thought they were
becoming a democratic nation.

A few months later Castro built up military groups for political

opponents and put hundreds in jail.

Castro Breaks Ties

After Castro disavowing Cubas 1952 military pact with the U.S.,
the U.S. ended relations with Cuba on January 3rd, 1961.

Castro confiscated U.S. assets and established Soviet-style

collective farms.

Castro formalized his alliance with the Soviet Union soon after.

After this, thousands of Cubans fled the country.

Bay of Pigs Disaster

A group of trained Cuban exiles invaded Cuba during President

John F. Kennedys term.

The plan was made up during the President Eisenhower era.

Bay of Pigs Disaster

This was an unsuccessful invasion since the Cuban army easily

defeated the rebels.

By April 20th (three days after the invasion) most invaders were
either dead or captured by the Cuban army.

Soviet Missile Crisis

The Soviet Union tried to install medium-range missiles in Cuba

in the early 1960s.

These missiles would be able to hit the U.S. with nuclear

warheads.

Soviet-Missile Crisis

President John F. Kennedy said there would be a U.S. blockade of

Cuba to stop the missile delivery.

Six days after the President said this, Soviet leader Nikita
Khrushchev ordered the missile sites to be taken down.

They later returned to the Soviet Union in return for the U.S. to
pledge not to attack Cuba.

Castro Announces His Retirement

At 81 years old, Castro released a public statement after his

emergency intestinal surgery that he was not healthy enough to
campaign for the elections.

He announced this statement in 2008.

Even though Castro did not campaign for the upcoming elections,
he can still be part of the election and get voted for.

Castro Announces His Retirement

In 2008 both Fidel and Raul Castro were reelected to the National
Assembly in Cuba.

Soon after, Castro ended his 49 years in power and retired.

Raul Castro became the 21st president of Cuba on February

24th, 2008 after his brother retired.

Cubans Begin to Win Small

Freedoms

Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque signed the International

Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Government relaxed land restrictions in 2008.

Castro planed to release 52 political prisoners in 2010.

Cubans Begin to Win Small

Freedoms

These covenants ensure the citizens:

Political freedom

Civil freedom

Guarantee the right to work

Fair wages

Social security

Education

High standards of physical/mental health

Cuba Takes Steps Toward

New Leader

This is the first time in over fifty years that Cuba will change its
leadership to another man without the last name of Castro.

The Castro brothers have lead a communist nation for a long

time now.

Castro became more lenient through the past several years

anyway.

Cuba Takes Steps Toward

New Leader

Jose Ramon Machado will now fill the second highest position in
the Communist Party.

Castro is still putting specific restrictions in for the citizens such

as limiting people to their amount of homes.

Many prisoners were freed in 2011 due to Castros plan.

Pope Makes Long-Awaited Visit

In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI visited Cuba.

He was there for three days after having

tension between the church and the
Cuban government.

Pope Benedict XVI tried to push Cuba

towards freedom.

I am convinced that Cuba, at this

moment of particular importance in its
history, is already looking to the future,
and thus is striving to renew and broaden
its horizons.

Pope Makes Long-Waited Visit

About 200,000 people attended the mass in Santiago de Cuba.

People from Miami made it to see the Pope as well.

Attendees said they were pressured to attend by members of the

Communist Party.

Exit Visa Requirement Is Dropped

The Cuban government announced in 2013 that Cubans no

longer need to have an exit visa when leaving the country.

This policy was promised by Castro in 2011 for an easy was to

answer the rising calls for change by Cubans.

Exit Visa Requirement Is Dropped

Cubans now can leave the country on vacations or even forever.

They only need a valid passport and a visa from the country of
where they are going.

Cubans can now stay away for up to two years before they lose
their citizenship and benefits.

Cuba Resumes Diplomatic

Relations with U.S.

President Obama is considering opening up a U.S. embassy in

Cuba since relations between the two nations are getting better.

Since the beginning of 2015 people from the U.S. can now visit
Cuba for religious, educational and cultural trips.

Cuba Resumes Diplomatic

Relations with U.S.

Trades between the U.S. and Cuba are now ongoing as of 2015.

The leaders of the U.S. and Cuba, President Obama and President
Raul Castro, met for the first time.

This was the first time our two leaders have met face to face in
over 50 years.

They agreed to take steps forward that advance their mutual

interests.