Full History Of Cuba In Timeline From 1902

May 1902: Independence as the Republic of Cuba

On 20 May 1902, Cuba gained formal independence from the U.S. as the Republic of Cuba, but the U.S. retained the right to intervene in Cuban affairs under the new constitution.

1902: Independence from the United States

In 1902, Cuba gained independence from the United States after the Spanish-American War and subsequent occupation.

1902: Start of the Republican period in Cuban architecture

In 1902, the Republican period in Cuban architecture started, which led to the construction of public and commercial buildings.

1906: U.S. Intervention After Disputed Elections

Following disputed elections in 1906, the U.S. intervened by occupying Cuba after an armed revolt by independence war veterans. Charles Edward Magoon was named Governor for three years.

1908: Restoration of self-government

In 1908, self-government was restored in Cuba when José Miguel Gómez was elected president, but the U.S. continued intervening in Cuban affairs.

1912: Suppression of the Partido Independiente de Color

In 1912, the Partido Independiente de Color attempted to establish a separate black republic in Oriente Province, but was suppressed by General Monteagudo.

1921: Jose R. Capablanca world chess champion

In 1921, Jose R. Capablanca became the world chess champion.

1924: Election of Gerardo Machado

In 1924, Gerardo Machado was elected president of Cuba. During his administration, tourism increased markedly.

1927: End of Capablanca's chess championship

In 1927, Jose R. Capablanca's reign as world chess champion ended.

1929: Wall Street Crash

The Wall Street crash of 1929 led to a collapse in the price of sugar, political unrest, and repression in Cuba.

1930: Immigration to Cuba

Between 1899 and 1930 alone, close to a million Spaniards entered Cuba, although many eventually returned to Spain.

August 1933: Machado Forced into Exile

In August 1933, a general strike, uprisings among sugar workers, and an army revolt forced Gerardo Machado into exile. He was replaced by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada.

September 1933: Sergeants' Revolt

In September 1933, the Sergeants' Revolt, led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista, overthrew Céspedes. A five-member executive committee was chosen to head a provisional government.

1933: Economic Regulations Extended

Between 1933 and 1958, Cuba extended economic regulations enormously, causing economic problems.

1934: Appointment of Ramón Grau San Martín

In 1934, Ramón Grau San Martín was appointed as provisional president after the Sergeants' Revolt.

1935: Multiple Presidents

From 1935 to 1936, Cuba saw three different presidents, highlighting the fragile political structures.

1936: Multiple Presidents

From 1935 to 1936, Cuba saw three different presidents, highlighting the fragile political structures.

1937: Period of Instability

The period from 1933 to 1937 was a time of "virtually unremitting social and political warfare" in Cuba.

1940: Suspension of the 1940 Constitution

Back in power, and receiving financial, military, and logistical support from the United States government, Batista suspended the 1940 Constitution and revoked most political liberties, including the right to strike.

1940: 1940 constitution's strictures

Batista adhered to the 1940 constitution's strictures preventing his re-election.

1940: Implementation of a new constitution

In 1940, Cuba implemented a new constitution that would be suspended later in 1952.

1940: Adoption of New Constitution and Batista's Election

In 1940, a new constitution was adopted, which engineered radical progressive ideas, including the right to labor and health care. Batista was also elected president in 1940.

1940: Fragile Political Structures

On balance, during the period 1933–1940 Cuba suffered from fragile political structures.

1944: Batista Lived in Florida

After finishing his term in 1944 Batista lived in Florida, returning to Cuba to run for president in 1952.

1944: End of Batista's First Term

In 1944, Batista's first term as president ended, as he adhered to the 1940 constitution's strictures preventing his re-election.

1944: Ramon Grau San Martin elected

Ramon Grau San Martin was the winner of the next election, in 1944.

1948: Carlos Prío Socarrás became president

Carlos Prío Socarrás, a protégé of Grau, became president in 1948. The two terms of the Auténtico Party brought an influx of investment, which fueled an economic boom, raised living standards for all segments of society, and created a middle class in most urban areas.

1948: Labor Unions Manipulated

The labor unions, manipulated by the previous government since 1948 through union "yellowness", supported Batista until the very end.

1952: Batista's Military Coup

In 1952, Batista led a military coup that preempted the election. He suspended the 1940 Constitution and revoked most political liberties.

1952: Cuban coup d'état

In 1952, the Cuban coup d'état led to the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.

1956: Castro's Landing

In 1956, Fidel Castro and about 80 supporters landed from the yacht Granma in an attempt to start a rebellion against the Batista government.

1957: Literacy rate before Castro came to power

In 1957, just before Castro came to power, the literacy rate in Cuba was almost 80%, ranking fourth in the region according to the United Nations.

1957: Infant mortality rate in Cuba

In 1957, the infant mortality rate in Cuba was 32 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

December 1958: Batista Resigned

Batista stayed in power until he resigned in December 1958 under the pressure of the US Embassy and as the revolutionary forces headed by Fidel Castro were winning militarily. Santa Clara city fell into the rebels hands on 31 December, in a conflict known as the Battle of Santa Clara.

1958: Rebels broke out of the Sierra Maestra

By late 1958, the rebels had broken out of the Sierra Maestra and launched a general popular insurrection. After Castro's fighters captured Santa Clara, Batista fled with his family to the Dominican Republic.

1958: Emergence of the July 26th Movement and U.S. Arms Embargo

In 1958, Castro's July 26th Movement emerged as the leading revolutionary group. The U.S. supported Castro by imposing a 1958 arms embargo against Batista's government.

January 1959: Start of mass emigration after the revolution

Following the revolution in January 1959, Cuba experienced substantial emigration, leading to a significant diaspora community, with over one million Cubans emigrating to the United States in the subsequent three decades.

January 1959: Overthrow of the Batista government

In January 1959, the 26th of July Movement overthrew the Fulgencio Batista government during the Cuban Revolution, establishing communist rule under Fidel Castro's leadership.

January 1959: Batista fled and Castro's forces entered the capital

On 1 January 1959, Batista fled with his family to the Dominican Republic. Fidel Castro's forces entered the capital on 8 January 1959. The liberal Manuel Urrutia Lleó became the provisional president.

1959: Cuban Revolution

1959 was the year of the Cuban revolution.

1959: Post-revolution cultural initiatives

After the 1959 revolution, the Cuban government initiated a national literacy campaign, provided free education, and established rigorous sports, ballet, and music programs.

1959: Cuban Peso Parity with US Dollar

Before 1959, the Cuban peso (CUP) was set at par with the US dollar.

1959: Influence of Soviet urban planning

Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, architectural styles were heavily influenced by Soviet urban planning, emphasizing functionality and uniformity.

1959: Death Sentences after the Revolution

From 1959 to 1987, official death sentences numbered 237, with all but 21 being carried out. The vast majority of those executed directly following the 1959 Revolution were policemen, politicians, and informers of the Batista regime accused of crimes such as torture and murder.

1959: Cuba's mission to the Dominican Republic

In 1959 Cuba launched missions to the Dominican Republic. The expedition failed.

1959: Government control over the economy contributes to shortages

Since 1959, stringent government control over the economy has contributed to persistent shortages of food and medicine in Cuba.

1959: End of the Republican period in Cuban architecture

The Republican period in Cuban architecture, marked by the construction of buildings like El Capitolio and the FOCSA Building, concluded in 1959.

February 1960: Commercial Agreement with Soviet Union

In February 1960, Castro signed a commercial agreement with Soviet Vice-Premier Anastas Mikoyan.

March 1960: CIA plan to overthrow Castro approved

In March 1960, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a CIA plan to arm and train Cuban refugees to overthrow the Castro government.

April 1960: Mallory Memo

On 6 April 1960, American diplomat Lester D. Mallory wrote an internal memo, arguing in favor of an embargo.

1960: U.S. Embargo on Cuba initiated

In 1960, the U.S. embargo on Cuba began, initiated by President Dwight Eisenhower, prohibiting all exports to Cuba, with the exception of medicines and certain foods.

April 1961: Bay of Pigs Invasion

On 15 April 1961, preemptive airstrikes were carried out on Cuban military airfields. On 17 April 1961, the Bay of Pigs Invasion began as approximately 1,400 Cuban exiles disembarked. By 19 April, Cuban troops and militias defeated the invasion.

1961: Population Growth Since 1961

Although Cuba's population had grown by about four million people since 1961, the rate of growth slowed during that period.

1961: Cuba supports Algeria

From 1961 to 1965, Cuba supported Algeria.

1961: Travel restrictions imposed

In 1961, the Cuban government imposed broad restrictions on travel to prevent the mass emigration of people.

1961: Foreign Assistance Act Approved

In 1962, the U.S. embargo on Cuba was intensified under the administration of John F. Kennedy, extending the restrictions to Cuban imports, based on the Foreign Assistance Act approved by Congress in 1961.

January 1962: Cuba suspended from OAS

In January 1962, Cuba was suspended from the Organization of American States (OAS).

October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred due to the Soviet decision to deploy R-12 missiles in Cuba, almost sparking World War III.

1962: U.S. Embargo on Cuba intensified

In 1962, the U.S. embargo on Cuba was intensified under the administration of John F. Kennedy, extending the restrictions to Cuban imports, based on the Foreign Assistance Act approved by Congress in 1961.

1962: U.S. trade embargo contributes to shortages

Since 1962, the U.S. trade embargo has contributed to persistent shortages of food and medicine in Cuba.

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, during the Cold War, is widely considered the closest the conflict came to escalating into nuclear war.

1963: Cuba moving towards communism

By 1963, Cuba was transitioning to a communist state system modeled after the USSR.

1963: Cuban troops sent to Algeria

In 1963, Cuba sent 686 troops along with 22 tanks and other military equipment to support Algeria in the Sand War against Morocco.

1964: Menoyo sets up guerrilla training camp

In 1964, Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo set up a guerrilla training camp in the Dominican Republic.

1964: U.S. imposed a range of sanctions

In response to the Agrarian Reform Law, expropriating thousands of acres of farmland (including from large U.S. landholders), between 1960 and 1964 the U.S. imposed a range of sanctions, eventually including a total ban on trade between the countries and a freeze on all Cuban-owned assets in the U.S.

1965: Cuba supplies arms to MPLA

By the middle of 1965, Cuba had begun supplying arms to the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA).

1965: Cuba supports Algeria

From 1961 to 1965, Cuba supported Algeria.

1965: Menoyo captured in Cuba

In 1965, Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo entered Cuba and was captured.

1966: Cuban aid reaches Guinea and Cape Verde

In 1966, Cuban aid also reached the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde.

February 1967: Cuban advisors operate in Guinea-Bissau

In February 1967, Cuban advisors began operating with guerrillas in the Guinea-Bissau War of Independence.

1968: "revolutionary offensive" initiated

Starting in 1968, a campaign titled the "revolutionary offensive" was initiated to nationalize all remaining private small businesses.

November 1969: Portuguese capture Cuban Captain

In November 1969, the Portuguese captured Cuban Captain Pedro Rodriguez Peralta.

1970: Sugar harvest deadline and economic decline

By 1970, the deadline for an annual sugar harvest of 10 million tons was set, but the goal was not reached, and the Cuban economy fell into decline.

1970: Castro admits economic policy failures

In 1970, Fidel Castro admitted the failures of economic policies during a speech.

1972: Cuban military mission dispatched to South Yemen

In 1972, a major Cuban military mission consisting of tank, air, and artillery specialists was dispatched to South Yemen.

October 1973: Yom Kippur War

October 1973 was the Yom Kippur War.

November 1973: Syrian-Israeli conflict

From November 1973 to May 1974, the Cubans were involved in the Syrian-Israeli conflict that followed the Yom Kippur War.

May 1974: Syrian-Israeli conflict

From November 1973 to May 1974, the Cubans were involved in the Syrian-Israeli conflict that followed the Yom Kippur War.

November 1975: Cuba deploys troops and tanks in Angola

In November 1975, Cuba deployed more than 65,000 troops and 400 Soviet-made tanks in Angola.

1975: Soviet military assistance enabled Cuba to upgrade its military capabilities

From 1975 until the late 1980s, Soviet military assistance enabled Cuba to upgrade its military capabilities.

1975: OAS lifts sanctions against Cuba

In 1975, the OAS lifted its sanctions against Cuba, although the U.S. maintained its own sanctions.

1975: First Communist Party Congress Meeting

Since 1975, The Communist Party of Cuba has held six party congress meetings.

1976: Adoption of the 1976 Constitution

In 1976, Cuba adopted a new constitution which defined the nation as a socialist republic.

December 1977: Cuban troops sent to Ethiopia

In December 1977, Cuba sent its combat troops from Angola, the People's Republic of the Congo, and the Caribbean to Ethiopia to help defeat a Somali invasion.

January 1978: Ethiopian and Cuban troops counterattack

On 24 January 1978, Ethiopian and Cuban troops counterattacked, inflicting 3,000 casualties on the Somali forces.

1979: U.S. objects to Soviet combat troops in Cuba

In 1979, the U.S. objected to the presence of Soviet combat troops on the island of Cuba.

1980: Cuban military advisors mission canceled

In 1980, the Cuban military advisors mission in Iraq was canceled after Iraq invaded Iran.

1980: Mariel boatlift migration event

In 1980, the Mariel boatlift took place which was one of Cuba's largest migration events.

1981: Public vs Private Sector Employment

In 1981, public sector employment in Cuba was 91.8% and private sector employment was 8.2%.

1983: U.S. invasion of Grenada

Following the 1983 coup in Grenada, U.S. forces invaded Grenada in 1983, overthrowing the pro-Castro government.

1984: Soviet Aid to Cuba

According to a CIA declassified report, Cuba received $33 billion in Soviet aid by 1984.

1985: Cuba's military spending in 1985

In 1985, Cuba devoted more than 10% of its GDP to military expenditures.

1987: Death Sentences after the Revolution

From 1959 to 1987, official death sentences numbered 237, with all but 21 being carried out. The vast majority of those executed directly following the 1959 Revolution were policemen, politicians, and informers of the Batista regime accused of crimes such as torture and murder.

1988: Cubans fought UNITA and South African forces at Cuito Cuanavale

In 1988 at the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, the Cubans alongside their MPLA allies fought UNITA rebels and apartheid South African forces.

September 1989: Cuban forces remained in Ethiopia

Cuban forces remained in Ethiopia until September 1989.

1989: Cuba withdraws troops from Angola

Cuba gradually withdrew its troops from Angola in 1989-91.

1990: Infant mortality declines

In 1990, infant mortality in Cuba declined to 10 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

September 1991: Soviet troops withdraw from Cuba

In September 1991, Soviet troops began to withdraw from Cuba.

December 1991: Soviet collapse and Special Period in Cuba

In December 1991, the Soviet collapse occurred, leading to the "Special Period" in Cuba characterized by a severe economic downturn.

1991: Medical care suffers due to Soviet subsidies ending

In 1991, medical care in Cuba suffered from severe material shortages following the end of Soviet subsidies.

June 1992: Cuba signs the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

On June 12, 1992, Cuba signed the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity.

1992: Adoption of the 1992 Constitution

In 1992, Cuba replaced the 1976 Constitution with a new constitution, which is "guided by the ideas of José Martí and the political and social ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin."

1992: The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992

In 1992, The Cuban Democracy Act states that sanctions will continue "so long as it continues to refuse to move toward democratization and greater respect for human rights".

1992: Tightening of U.S. embargo

In 1992, medical care in Cuba suffered as a result of the tightening of the U.S. embargo.

1992: Constitutional amendment on religious freedom

In 1992, the Cuban government amended the constitution to drop the state's characterization as atheistic, increasing religious freedom.

1992: Start of Restricted Tourism

In 1992, tourism in Cuba was initially restricted to enclave resorts where tourists were segregated from Cuban society. Contact between foreign visitors and ordinary Cubans were de facto illegal between 1992 and 1997.

1993: Cuba accepts American donations

In 1993, the Cuban government began to accept American donations of food, medicines and cash.

March 1994: Cuba becomes a party to the Rio Convention

On March 8, 1994, Cuba became a party to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, after signing it in 1992.

August 1994: Protests in Havana

On 5 August 1994, state security dispersed protesters in a spontaneous protest in Havana.

September 1994: Agreement on visas between U.S. and Cuba

On 9 September 1994, the U.S. and Cuban governments reached an agreement where the U.S. committed to granting at least 20,000 visas annually in exchange for Cuba preventing unlawful departures by sea.

1994: Reduction of Cuban military personnel

After the loss of Soviet subsidies, Cuba scaled down the numbers of military personnel, from 235,000 in 1994 to about 49,000 in 2021.

1994: Cuban rafter crisis migration event

In 1994, the Cuban rafter crisis took place which was one of Cuba's largest migration events.

1995: GDP Shrink

From the start of the crisis until 1995, Cuba saw its gross domestic product (GDP) shrink by 35%.

1996: Helms-Burton Act passed

In 1996, after Cuba shot down two small aircraft piloted by a Florida-based anti-Castro group, the U.S. Congress passed the Helms–Burton Act.

1996: The Helms-Burton Act is brought in by the United States

In 1996, the United States, then under President Bill Clinton, brought in the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, better known as the Helms–Burton Act.

1997: Restricted tourism until 1997

Contact between foreign visitors and ordinary Cubans were de facto illegal between 1992 and 1997.

1998: Pope John Paul II visits Cuba

Pope John Paul II visited Cuba in 1998, marking a significant event in the country's religious history.

2000: Further decline in infant mortality

In 2000, infant mortality in Cuba further declined to 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

2002: Cuban Census Racial Composition

The 2002 Cuban census found that 65.05% of the population was white.

2003: Tourism Statistics

In 2003, 1.9 million tourists visited Cuba, predominantly from Canada and the European Union, generating revenue of US$2.1 billion.

2003: "Black Spring" arrests

In 2003, the Cuban government arrested and imprisoned a large number of civil activists, a period known as the "Black Spring".

2003: EU accuses Cuban government of human rights violations

In 2003, the European Union (EU) accused the Cuban government of "continuing flagrant violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

2005: Cuba's Exports and Imports

In 2005, Cuba had exports of US$2.4 billion and imports of US$6.9 billion.

2005: Continuation in decline in infant mortality

In 2005, infant mortality in Cuba declined to 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

2005: Oil Exploration Reveals Potential

Oil exploration in 2005 by the US Geological Survey revealed that the North Cuba Basin could produce about 4.6 billion barrels to 9.3 billion barrels of oil.

July 2006: Fidel Castro suffers illness

In July 2006, Fidel Castro suffered a serious gastrointestinal illness.

2006: Test Drilling for Oil

In 2006, Cuba started to test-drill the North Cuba Basin locations for possible oil exploitation.

2006: Low Birth Rate

In 2006, Cuba's birth rate (9.88 births per thousand population) was one of the lowest in the Western Hemisphere, and the population began to decline.

2006: Catholicism remains the dominant faith

In 2006, despite less than half of the population identifying as Catholic, Roman Catholicism remained the dominant faith in Cuba.

2006: Public vs Private Sector Employment

In 2006, public sector employment in Cuba was 78% and private sector employment was 22%, a shift from the 1981 figures.

January 2008: Cuba submits revision to National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

On January 24, 2008, Cuba submitted a revision to its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, after becoming a party to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994.

February 2008: Fidel Castro resigns

In February 2008, Fidel Castro resigned as President of the State Council.

2008: Fidel Castro's Retirement

In 2008, Fidel Castro retired after 49 years in power, and Raúl Castro was elected as his successor.

2008: Agrarian Reforms to Boost Food Production

In 2008, Raúl Castro began enacting agrarian reforms to boost food production, as at that time 80% of food was imported.

2008: Wage Caps Abandoned

In 2008, it was announced that wage caps in Cuba would be abandoned to improve the nation's productivity.

2008: EU and Cuba resume full relations

In 2008, the European Union (EU) and Cuba agreed to resume full relations and cooperation activities.

March 2009: Raúl Castro removes appointees

In March 2009, Raúl Castro removed some of his brother's appointees.

June 2009: OAS resolution to end ban on Cuban membership

On 3 June 2009, the Organization of American States adopted a resolution to end the 47-year ban on Cuban membership of the group.

2009: EU calls for reform in Cuba

As of 2009, the European Union has continued to call regularly for social and economic reform in Cuba, along with the unconditional release of all political prisoners.

2009: Obama's new beginning with Cuba

In 2009, United States President Barack Obama stated on 17 April, in Trinidad and Tobago that "the United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba", and reversed the Bush Administration's prohibition on travel and remittances by Cuban-Americans from the United States to Cuba.

2009: Infant mortality rate continues to decline

In 2009, the infant mortality rate in Cuba continued to decline, reaching 5.13 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

July 2010: Political prisoners in Cuba

In July 2010, the unofficial Cuban Human Rights Commission said there were 167 political prisoners in Cuba, a fall from 201 at the start of the year.

2010: Cuba's Population

According to the official census of 2010, Cuba's population was 11,241,161, comprising 5,628,996 men and 5,612,165 women.

2010: Cubans Allowed to Build Their Own Houses

In 2010, Cubans were allowed to build their own houses, with certain conditions and without government endorsement.

2010: Pew Forum estimates religious affiliation

In 2010, the Pew Forum estimated that religious affiliation in Cuba was 59.2% Christian, 23% unaffiliated, 17.4% folk religion, and 0.4% other religions.

August 2011: Legalization of Private Property

In August 2011, Cuba reaffirmed its intent to legalize "buying and selling" of private property before the year's end, a move expected to transform the Cuban economy.

2011: International Tourist Arrivals

In 2011, Cuba recorded 2,688,000 international tourists, the third-highest figure in the Caribbean.

2011: Muslim community in Cuba

In 2011, Cuba was home to a small community of approximately 6,000 Muslims.

2011: Nickel as Major Export

In 2011, nickel accounted for 21% of Cuba's total exports.

2011: Communist Party Membership in 2011

In 2011, the Communist Party stated that there were 800,000 members, and representatives generally constitute at least half of the Councils of state and the National Assembly.

2011: Pope Benedict XVI visits Cuba

Pope Benedict XVI visited Cuba in 2011, following the path of his predecessor and engaging with the Cuban population.

2011: Cimavax vaccine available for free in Cuba

Since 2011, the lung cancer vaccine, Cimavax, has been available for free to the Cuban population.

December 2012: Threat to bar sexually explicit songs

In December 2012, the director of the Cuban Music Institute, Orlando Vistel, threatened to bar sexually explicit songs and music videos from public radio and television.

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2012: Cuba meets sustainable development conditions

According to a 2012 study, Cuba is the only country in the world to meet the conditions of sustainable development put forth by the WWF.

2012: Cuban medical personnel working abroad

At the end of 2012, tens of thousands of Cuban medical personnel worked abroad, with as many as 30,000 doctors in Venezuela alone via the two countries' oil-for-doctors programme.

2012: Small Jewish community in Cuba

In 2012, Cuba was home to a small community of approximately 500 Jewish people.

2012: Cuba's Major Export Partners

In 2012, Cuba's major export partners were Canada (17.7%), China (16.9%), Venezuela (12.5%), Netherlands (9%), and Spain (5.9%).

January 2013: Travel permit requirement ended

Effective 14 January 2013, Cuba ended the requirement that citizens needed a government permit and a letter of invitation to travel abroad.

February 2013: Raúl Castro announces resignation

In February 2013, President of the State Council Raúl Castro announced he would resign in 2018, ending his five-year term, and that he hopes to implement permanent term limits for future Cuban presidents, including age limits.

October 2013: Intention to Merge Currencies

In October 2013, Raúl Castro said he intended to merge the two currencies in Cuba.

2013: Estimated Nickel Reserves

As of 2013, Cuba's nickel reserves were estimated at 5.5 million tons, over 7% of the world total.

2013: Top emigration destinations

As of 2013, the top emigration destinations for Cubans were the United States, Spain, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

2013: Cybercafes opened across the country

In 2013, ETECSA opened 118 cybercafes across Cuba, while the government maintains control over internet access and monitors e-mail.

September 2014: Cuban healthcare workers aiding other nations

As of September 2014, approximately 50,000 Cuban-trained health care workers were assisting 66 nations worldwide.

December 2014: Obama announces re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba

On December 17, 2014, United States President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, pushing for Congress to put an end to the embargo, as well as the United States-run Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

December 2014: Thaw in Cuba-U.S. relations

Starting in December 2014, during the thaw in Cuba–U.S. relations under the Obama administration, an increasing number of U.S. lung cancer patients traveled to Cuba to receive Cimavax vaccine treatment.

December 2014: Talks with American and Cuban officials

As of December 2014, talks with Cuban and American officials led to the release of Alan Gross and political prisoners, and a relaxation of the embargo to allow limited commerce.

2014: Study on Cuban Ancestry

A 2014 study found that autosomal genetic ancestry in Cuba is 72% European, 20% African, and 8% Indigenous.

2014: Remittances to Cuba

In 2014, remittances to Cuba amounted to US$3,129 million, ranking seventh highest in Latin America.

June 2015: Cuba and the U.S. Reached a deal to reopen embassies

On June 30, 2015 Cuba and the U.S. reached a deal to reopen embassies in their respective capitals on 20 July 2015 and reestablish diplomatic relations.

July 2015: Cuba and the U.S. Reached a deal to reopen embassies

On June 30, 2015 Cuba and the U.S. reached a deal to reopen embassies in their respective capitals on 20 July 2015 and reestablish diplomatic relations.

September 2015: Pope Francis visits Cuba

Pope Francis visited Cuba in September 2015, continuing a tradition of papal visits to the island.

2015: Foreign-Born Population

As of 2015, the foreign-born population in Cuba was 13,336 inhabitants per the World Bank data.

2015: Cuba eradicates mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis

In 2015, Cuba became the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, a milestone recognized by the World Health Organization.

2015: Univision survey reveals religious demographics

In a 2015 survey sponsored by Univision, 44% of Cubans identified as not religious, 9% did not provide an answer, and 34% said they were Christian.

August 2016: Dual currency system remains in force

As of August 2016, the dual currency system remained in force in Cuba.

2016: CIA World Factbook on Cuba's GDP

According to the CIA World Factbook, Cuba's GDP per capita was $12,300 as of 2016.

2016: Cuban Monthly Earnings Distribution

In 2016, about 27% of Cubans earned under $50 per month; 34% earned $50 to $100; 20% earned $101 to $200; 12% earned $201 to $500; and almost 4% earned over $500.

2016: Easing of American Tourism Restrictions

In 2016, most restrictions on American tourism to Cuba were limited due to the Cuban Missile Crisis but some remained in place.

September 2017: The United States Considered Closing Its Cuban Embassy

On 17 September 2017, the United States considered closing its Cuban embassy following mysterious medical symptoms experienced by its staff.

September 2017: Hurricane Irma Damage

On 8 September 2017, some tourist facilities in Cuba were extensively damaged when Hurricane Irma hit the island.

2017: State-Run Restaurants Converted to Worker Owned Cooperatives

By 2017, the Cuban government expected there to be approximately 10,000 cooperatives operating. All state-run restaurants (over 8,000) will be converted to worker owned cooperatives.

2017: Cuba signs UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In 2017, Cuba signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

April 2018: Miguel Díaz-Canel elected president

On 19 April 2018, Raúl Castro stepped down and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected president of the State Council.

2018: Potential for Mountaineering Tourism

A 2018 study indicated that Cuba has a potential for mountaineering activity, and that mountaineering could be a key contributor to tourism.

2018: Cuba's military spending in 2018

As of 2018, Cuba spent about US$91.8 million on its armed forces or 2.9% of its GDP.

2018: Raúl Castro's Retirement

In 2018, Raúl Castro retired as president of the Council of State, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected president by the National Assembly.

2018: Mobile data internet access available

In 2018, access to the internet via mobile data became available in Cuba.

2018: Increased internet access fuels calls for change

Since 2018, access to the internet and widespread social media use have fueled calls for political and economic liberalization in Cuba.

May 2019: Rationing of Staples

In May 2019, Cuba imposed rationing of staples such as chicken, eggs, rice, beans, soap and other basic goods.

June 2019: Increase in Public Sector Wages

In June 2019, the Cuban government announced an increase in public sector wages of about 300%, specifically for teachers and health personnel.

2019: Cuba's main trading partners and exports/imports

According to 2019 data, China is Cuba's main trading partner, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Cyprus. Cuba's main exports include tobacco, sugar, and alcoholic beverages, while it primarily imports chicken meat, wheat, corn, and condensed milk.

2019: Cuban internet users

In 2019, 7.1 million Cubans were able to access the internet.

2019: New constitution approved

In 2019, Cuba approved a new constitution that, among other things, recognizes private property and strengthens rights of multinationals.

2019: Cuba's Forest Landscape Integrity Index score in 2019

In 2019, Cuba had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.4/10, ranking it 102nd globally out of 172 countries.

2019: Increase in Remittances

In 2019, remittances to Cuba had grown to US$6,616 million.

2019: Ratification of the 2019 Constitution

Since the ratification of the 2019 Constitution, the President of Cuba, who is also elected by the Assembly, serves for five years and there is a limit of two consecutive five-year terms.

July 2020: New Stores Accepting Foreign Currency

In July 2020, Cuba opened new stores accepting only foreign currency while simultaneously eliminating a special tax on the U.S. dollar to combat an economic crisis.

2020: Cuba's GDP per capita

According to the World Bank, Cuba's GDP per capita was $9,500 as of 2020.

2020: Cuba's World Press Freedom Index ranking

In 2020, Cuba ranked 171st out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index.

2020: Tourism decline due to the pandemic

In 2020, foreign tourism in Cuba was severely affected by the pandemic, causing a 75% decrease in tourist numbers.

2020: Drop in Remittances Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, remittances to Cuba dropped down to US$1,967 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 2021: Economic reform and mobile connections

In January 2021, an economic reform led to a fivefold increase in salaries, while internet prices remained stable. There were 6.68 million mobile connections in Cuba during January 2021.

January 2021: End of Dual Currency System

On 1 January 2021, Cuba's dual currency system was formally ended, and the convertible Cuban peso (CUC) was phased out, leaving the Cuban peso (CUP) as the country's sole currency unit.

April 2021: Raúl Castro retires as first secretary

In April 2021, Raúl Castro announced his retirement as first secretary of the Communist Party, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was voted in as his successor on April 19.

April 2021: Díaz-Canel becomes First Secretary of the Communist Party

On April 19, 2021, Díaz-Canel became First Secretary of the Communist Party. He is the first non-Castro to be in such top position since the Cuban revolution of 1959.

June 2021: Deadline to Exchange CUCs

Cuban citizens had until June 2021 to exchange their CUCs.

July 2021: Protests against the government

In July 2021, there were several large protests against the government under the banner of Patria y Vida, and Cuban exiles also conducted protests overseas.

2021: Cuba ranked 19th by the number of imprisoned journalists

According to various sources, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch, Cuba was ranked 19th by the number of imprisoned journalists of any nation in 2021.

2021: Cuban military personnel numbers

After the loss of Soviet subsidies, Cuba scaled down the numbers of military personnel, from 235,000 in 1994 to about 49,000 in 2021.

2021: Minimum Wage Reform

Following a reform in 2021, the minimum monthly wage in Cuba was set to about 2100 CUP (US$81) and the median monthly wage was about 4000 CUP (US$155).

2021: Increased Migration Attempts

In 2021, 39,000 Cubans tried to enter the United States through the Mexican border.

2021: Raúl Castro's Retirement as First Secretary

In 2021, Raúl Castro retired as First Secretary of the Communist Party, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected.

2021: Cuba's Human Development Index

In 2021, The United Nations Development Programme gave Cuba a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.764.

2021: Monetary reforms introduce inflation

In 2021, monetary reforms in Cuba introduced shocks of inflation, which further exacerbated the country's food scarcity and increased the prominence of the black market.

2021: Cuba's position in the Human Development Report

The Human Development Report for 2021-2022 recognizes the Cuban government's efforts in social protection and universal access to basic services.

September 2022: Cuba approves referendum legalising same-sex marriage

In September 2022, Cuba approved a referendum which amended the Family Code to legalise same-sex marriage and allow surrogate pregnancy and same-sex adoption. Gender reassignment surgery and transgender hormone therapy are provided free of charge under Cuba's national healthcare system.

November 2022: Cuban Leader Miguel Diaz-Canel Visits Vladimir Putin in Moscow

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing international isolation of Russia, Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow in November 2022, where the two leaders opened a monument of Fidel Castro, as well as speaking out against U.S. sanctions against Russia and Cuba.

2022: Accelerated emigration to the United States

In 2022, more than 2% of Cuba's population migrated to the United States, with thousands more going to other countries, marking a migration event larger than the 1980 Mariel boatlift and the 1994 Cuban rafter crisis combined.

2022: WFP procures essential foods and macronutrients

In 2022, the WFP procured essential foods and macronutrients worth $10.7 million to address food security challenges and anemia prevalence in infants in Cuba.

2022: Surge in Cubans trying to enter the United States

In 2022, the number of Cubans attempting to enter the United States, particularly through the Mexican border, increased dramatically from 39,000 in 2021 to over 224,000 as a result of the severe socioeconomic crisis.

2023: Cuban Observatory of Human Rights Study

According to a 2023 study by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), an estimated 88% of the Cuban population is living in extreme poverty.

2023: Report on Extreme Poverty

According to a controversial 2023 report by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), 88% of Cuban citizens live in extreme poverty.

2023: Severe socioeconomic crisis and record emigration

In 2023, Cuba is experiencing its most severe socioeconomic crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse, resulting in a record number of Cubans fleeing the island due to food and medicine shortages, power outages, and internal migration, leading to overcrowded conditions in Havana.

2023: Cuba's Multidimensional Poverty Index

The United Nations agency estimated Cuba's Multidimensional Poverty Index of 0.003 in 2023.

2024: Cuba's Ranking on the Global Peace Index in 2024

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Cuba is the 98th most peaceful country in the world.

2024: Cuba's ranking in Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index

In 2024, Cuba ranked 29th on the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, the highest ranking of a developing country.

2024: Cuban internet users

In 2024, it was reported that 8.19 million people in Cuba had access to the internet.

History of Cuba in Timeline