Cuba In The 20th Century

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In the process of decolonisation, in the second part of the 20th century, many independent states were formed in Africa, Latin America and Asia. However, instead of developing and creating needed infrastructure, most of the newly established countries were fated to become an arena for the struggle for spheres of influence between the major powers of the Cold War era: the United States of America and the Soviet Union. The conflict was “cold” between the powerful rivals, but it was “hot” in the so-called Third World and especially in Africa, where Cuba became an important player of regional affairs.
The independence (from the Soviet Union) of Cuban actions in Africa during the Cold War is still an open and debatable question, however, it is …show more content…
For example, controlling and having allies in the Horn of Africa (Cuba participation in Ogaden War) provides an access to the Middle East and the Suez Canal (via Red Sea) – both places of vital strategic and economic importance. In addition, Africa is very rich in mineral resources and oil and it was highly beneficial for Cuba to boost its economy, which was partly isolated from the global trade through the US commercial embargo. Lastly, Philipp Brenner argues that “Cuba has little to gain economically or strategically by promoting revolution (in Africa)… Ideologically, Cuba has always taken the principle of international solidarity – because the survival of the Cuban revolution has been so dependent upon international involvement”. In my opinion, despite the fact that Brenner is wrong on his assumption on African strategic and economic unimportance, he outlines one of the key roots of Cuban presence in Africa, which is often disregarded in the academia. Ideology was one of the main causes of Cuban presence in Africa, Fidel Castro was a true liberation fighter, who verily valued freedom and felt the need to support liberation movements …show more content…
The country has been involved in 17 African nations during the Cold War period. The scope and influence of those involvements were greatly different: from vastly influential military and economic assistance (Angola, Ethiopia) to small military and civil consultancy (Lesotho, Tanzania, Benin, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau). Hence, I believe that Cuban participation in foreign affairs, giving the size, geographical location and economic resources of the Caribbean island is unprecedented in global history. However, Cuban activity at global arena was very costly and it would have been impossible without the constant economic and military support from the Soviet Union, which, in return, hugely benefited from Castro’s actions in
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