A New Era for the U.S. and Cuba By: Kayla Brown

The Revolution Leader breaks ties with the U.S. On January 3rd, 1961 the U.S. broke their relations with Cuba. At first, the U.S. did welcome what they thought was a democratic Cuba.

The Revolution Leader breaks ties with the U.S. Fidel Castro established military tribunals for political opponents and he had hundreds of people put in jail. Castro became an ally with the Soviet Union.

Bay of Pigs disaster In 1961, a U.S. group of Cubans invaded Cuba. This invasion was given by President John Kennedy. President Kennedy wouldn’t give the U.S. air support.

Bay of Pigs Disaster April 17th, 1961 was the day the landing of Bay of Pigs occurred. The invaders were attacked by the Cuban military. 114 people were killed and over 1,000 people were taken as prisoner.

Soviet-Missile Crisis October 1962 is when the Cuban missile crisis occurred. This happened during the Cold War and was against the Soviet Union and U.S.

Soviet-Missile Crisis President Kennedy had promised to stop the missile delivery by a U.S. blockade of Cuba. A soviet premier ordered the missiles to be stopped and returned to the USSR. In return, the U.S. could not attack Cuba.

Fidel Castro Announces his Retirement When Castro was 81 years old he released a statement that he is not healthy enough to campaign the parliamentary elections. Castro was not withdrawn from this election and he was reelected to the National Assembly.

Fidel Castro Announces his Retirement In Feb. 2008, Castro ended his 49 years of power and announced his retirement. Castro ruled since the revolution in 1959 and he said he will not accept another term as president.

Cubans Begin to Win Small Freedoms In Feb. 2008, the Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Cuba Begins to Win Small Freedoms During July 2010, Castro made an announcement saying he is planning to release 52 political prisoners. These prisoners, activists and journalists have been held since 2003.

Cuba Takes Steps Toward A New Leader On April 19th, 2011 Cuba appointed Jose Ramon Machado as the second highest position in the Communist party.

Cuba Takes Steps Towards A New Leader This is the first time since 1959 that someone besides the Castro brothers were given the position of the second highest position in the Communist party.

Pope Makes Long Awaited Visit The Pope, Benedict XVI visited Cuba on March 26th, 2012. This was the first papal visit in 14 years.

Pope Makes Long Awaited Visit During his visit, the Pope was pushing for Cuba towards freedom. 200,000 people attended the Mass in Santiago de Cuba.

Exit Visa Requirement is Dropped The government announced on October 16th, 2012 that in 2013 Cubans will no longer need to have a exit visa when they leave Cuba.

Exit Visa Requirement is Dropped Cubans can now leave the country on vacation or forever. This also gives Cubans the opportunity to stay abroad longer.

Cuba Resumes Diplomatic Relations with U.S. President Barack Obama said that the U.S. will continue diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Cuba Resumes Diplomatic Relations with U.S. Cuba and the U.S. haven’t had diplomatic relations since 1961. With relations being restored, the ban for Americans traveling to Cuba was gone.

Changes in the Future for U.S. and Cuba The United States are going to send an ambassador to Cuba. This will ease the economic embargo.

Changes in the Future for U.S. and Cuba Business transactions will be easier when the U.S. eases the travel restrictions. Cubans will be able to communicate with people around the world easier now.

How might the relationship between the U. S. and Cuba changing How might the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba changing? Is this good or bad? The U.S. and Cuba haven’t had any diplomatic relations since 1961. The relationship between the U.S. and Cuba is changing because they are finally having a relationship with each other. President Obama called their relationship with Cuba an “outdated approach.” I think their relationship is changing because they both want to change the rigid policies and start working together. I do believe these changes are a good thing because it helps to improve the life’s of Cubans and Americans. It will be easier for Cubans to communicate with people around the world and visit their relatives. Business transactions will be easier and the U.S. has another country to import and export goods with. This diplomatic relationship between U.S. and Cuba benefits everyone.

Resources Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations. Web. 25 May 2015. "The Frozen U.S.-Cuba Relationship." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 25 May 2015. "United States Severs Diplomatic Relations with Cuba." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 25 May 2015.