History of Cuba in Timeline
Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean, composed of the main island and over 4,000 smaller islands, islets, and cays. Its location at the intersection of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean places it near the Yucatán Peninsula, Florida, the Bahamas, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Havana serves as its capital and largest city. With approximately 10 million people, Cuba ranks as the third-most populous Caribbean nation and it is the largest by area. Cuba is considered part of Latin America.
May 1902: Cuba gains formal independence
On 20 May 1902, Cuba gained formal independence as the Republic of Cuba, following the end of U.S. military government jurisdiction.
1902: Cuba gains independence
In 1902, Cuba gained independence after the Spanish-American War, following a period of occupation by the United States.
1902: Start of the Republican period
In 1902, the Republican period started, Cuban architecture saw the construction of prominent public and commercial buildings.
1906: U.S. Intervenes After Disputed Elections
Following disputed elections in 1906, Tomás Estrada Palma faced an armed revolt, leading to U.S. intervention and the appointment of Charles Edward Magoon as governor for three years.
1908: Self-government restored
In 1908, self-government was restored 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: World chess champion
Jose R. Capablanca was a Cuban world chess champion from 1921 to 1927.
1924: Gerardo Machado elected president
In 1924, Gerardo Machado was elected president of Cuba, a period during which tourism increased significantly.
1927: World chess champion
Jose R. Capablanca was a Cuban world chess champion from 1921 to 1927.
1929: Wall Street Crash leads to sugar price collapse
The Wall Street crash of 1929 led to a collapse in the price of sugar in Cuba, resulting in political unrest and repression.
1930: Immigration to Cuba
Between 1899 and 1930 nearly one million Spaniards entered Cuba, although many eventually returned to Spain.
1930: Emergence of the Generation of 1930
In 1930, protesting students, known as the Generation of 1930, turned to violence in opposition to the increasingly unpopular Machado.
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.
September 1933: Sergeants' Revolt overthrows Céspedes
In September 1933, the Sergeants' Revolt, led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista, overthrew Céspedes.
1933: Economic regulations extended
Between 1933 and 1958, Cuba extended economic regulations enormously, causing economic problems.
1933: Coup topples government
In 1933, a coup overthrew the democratically elected government of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada, initiating a prolonged era of military influence, prominently by Fulgencio Batista.
1934: Grau resigns
In 1934, Ramón Grau San Martín resigned as provisional president, paving the way for Batista's dominance in Cuban politics.
1935: Fragile political structures
From 1935-1936, Cuba suffered from fragile political structures, with three presidents in two years.
1936: Fragile political structures
From 1935-1936, Cuba suffered from fragile political structures, with three presidents in two years.
1937: Period of social and political warfare
The period from 1933 to 1937 was a time of "virtually unremitting social and political warfare" in Cuba.
1940: Strictures preventing re-election
Batista adhered to the 1940 constitution's strictures preventing his re-election.
1940: Constitution and Batista elected president
In 1940 the Constitution of Cuba was established and Batista was elected president, holding the post until 1944.
1940: New constitution implemented
In 1940, Cuba implemented a new constitution amidst growing political unrest in the country.
1940: Constitution suspended by Batista
In 1952 Batista suspended the 1940 constitution.
1940: Fragile political structures
On balance, during the period 1933–1940, Cuba suffered from fragile political structures, with three presidents in two years (1935–1936) and in the militaristic and repressive policies of Batista as head of the army.
1944: Batista lives in Florida after finishing his term
After finishing his term in 1944, Batista lived in Florida before returning to Cuba to run for president in 1952.
1944: Batista's term ends
In 1944, Batista's term as president ended, as he adhered to the 1940 constitution's strictures preventing his re-election.
1944: Grau re-elected president
In 1944, Grau was re-elected president of Cuba.
1948: Carlos Prío Socarrás becomes president
In 1948, Carlos Prío Socarrás, a protégé of Grau, became president of Cuba.
1948: Labor unions supported Batista
The labor unions, manipulated by the previous government since 1948 through union "yellowness", supported Batista.
1952: Batista leads a military coup
In 1952, Batista led a military coup that preempted the election, suspending the 1940 constitution and revoking political liberties.
1952: Batista's coup d'état
In 1952, Fulgencio Batista led a Cuban coup d'état, which resulted in an autocratic government.
1956: Castro lands from yacht Granma
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: Infant deaths
In 1957, infant mortality in Cuba was 32 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
1957: Literacy rate in Cuba
In 1957, just before Castro came to power, the literacy rate in Cuba was 76% according to the United Nations.
1958: Rebels break out of Sierra Maestra
By late 1958, the rebels had broken out of the Sierra Maestra and launched a general popular insurrection.
1958: 26th of July Movement emerges
In 1958, Castro's 26th of July Movement emerged as the leading revolutionary group, and the U.S. imposed an arms embargo against Batista's government.
1958: Cuba advanced but affected by labor union privileges
In 1958, Cuba was a well-advanced country compared to other Latin American regions, but it was affected by large labor union privileges.
January 1959: Emigration from Cuba
During the three decades after January 1959, more than one million Cubans emigrated to the United States.
January 1959: Cuban Revolution overthrow of Batista's government
In January 1959, Batista's autocratic government was overthrown by the 26th of July Movement during the Cuban Revolution, leading to the establishment of communist rule under Fidel Castro.
January 1959: Batista flees to the Dominican Republic
On 1 January 1959, after Castro's fighters captured Santa Clara, Batista fled to the Dominican Republic, leading to Castro's forces entering the capital on 8 January.
1959: Revolution and Literacy Campaign
After the 1959 revolution, the Cuban government started a national literacy campaign and offered free education to all.
1959: Missions to the Dominican Republic
In 1959, Cuba launched missions to the Dominican Republic, although the expedition failed.
1959: Post-Revolution Executions
In 1959, following the Cuban Revolution, numerous policemen, politicians, and informers of the Batista regime were publicly tried and executed for crimes like torture and murder, receiving widespread popular support.
1959: End of the Republican period
In 1959, the Republican period ended, Cuban architecture saw the construction of prominent public and commercial buildings.
1959: U.S. military presence in Guantánamo Bay regarded as illegal
Since 1959, Cuba has regarded the U.S. military presence in Guantánamo Bay as illegal.
February 1960: Commercial agreement with Soviet Vice-Premier
In February 1960, Castro signed a commercial agreement with Soviet Vice-Premier Anastas Mikoyan.
March 1960: Eisenhower approves CIA plan to overthrow Castro
In March 1960, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a CIA plan to arm and train Cuban refugees to overthrow Fidel Castro's government.
April 1960: Internal Memo by Lester D. Mallory
On April 6, 1960, U.S. American diplomat Lester D. Mallory wrote an internal memo arguing in favor of an embargo to alienate internal support through economic dissatisfaction.
1960: United States embargo against Cuba begins
Ongoing since 1960, the United States embargo against Cuba stands as one of the longest-running trade and economic measures in bilateral relations in history.
April 1961: Bay of Pigs Invasion
In April 1961, the Bay of Pigs Invasion occurred during John F. Kennedy's presidency. On April 15, 1961, Brigade 2506 carried out airstrikes on Cuban military airfields. On April 17, 1961, about 1,400 Cuban exiles disembarked at the Bay of Pigs but were defeated by Cuban troops and militias by April 19.
1961: Population Growth Since 1961
Although Cuba's population has grown by about four million people since 1961, the rate of growth slowed during that period.
1961: Foreign Assistance Act Approved
In 1961, The Foreign Assistance Act approved by Congress.
1961: Travel Restrictions Imposed
In 1961, the Cuban government imposed broad restrictions on travel to prevent mass emigration after the 1959 revolution.
January 1962: Cuba Suspended from OAS
In January 1962, Cuba was suspended from the Organization of American States (OAS) and faced sanctions similar to those imposed by the U.S.
October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred after the Soviet Union decided to deploy R-12 missiles to Cuba, almost sparking World War III.
1962: Intensification of Restrictions to Cuban Imports
In 1962, under the administration of John F. Kennedy, restrictions were extended to Cuban imports.
1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 is widely considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into nuclear war.
1963: Cuba moves towards communism
By 1963, Cuba was transitioning to a full-fledged communist state modeled after the USSR.
1964: Total ban on trade
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.
1964: Menoyo Sets up Guerilla training camp
In 1964, Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo set up a guerrilla training camp in the Dominican Republic for Alpha 66.
1965: Menoyo captured in Cuba
In 1965, Eloy Gutiérrez Menoyo entered Cuba and was captured, though Alpha 66 continued its raids under new leadership.
1966: Cuban Troops Prevent Coup in Congo
In 1966, Cuban troops prevented a coup attempt in the Republic of the Congo after the Congolese army refused to engage in combat against them.
1967: Che Guevara Killed in Bolivia
In 1967, Che Guevara, authorized by Castro, was killed while attempting to start a revolution in Bolivia.
1968: "Revolutionary offensive" campaign initiated
Starting in 1968, Cuba initiated the "revolutionary offensive" campaign to nationalize around 58,000 remaining private small businesses and focus the economy on sugar production.
1970: Sugar Production Goal Not Reached
By 1970, Cuba's goal of producing 10 million tons of sugar was not reached, and the economy fell into decline due to the neglect of other sectors after the labor mobilization to the countryside.
1970: Castro Admits Economic Failures
In 1970, Fidel Castro admitted the failures of Cuba's economic policies in a speech.
1972: Military mission dispatched to South Yemen
In 1972, Cuba dispatched a major military mission of tank, air, and artillery specialists to South Yemen.
1973: Cuban Forces Involved in Syrian-Israeli Conflict
In 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, Cuban forces were involved in the Syrian-Israeli conflict in the Golan Heights.
1974: Cuban forces involved in Syrian-Israeli conflict
In 1974, Cuban forces were involved in the Syrian-Israeli conflict that followed the Yom Kippur War, with Israeli sources reporting a Cuban tank brigade in the Golan Heights.
November 1975: Cuba Deploys Troops to Angola
In November 1975, Cuba deployed over 65,000 troops and 400 Soviet-made tanks to Angola.
1975: Soviet Military Assistance
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 Organization of American States (OAS) lifted its sanctions against Cuba with the approval of 16 member states, including the United States, 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: Constitution of 1976
In 1976, the Constitution defined Cuba as a socialist republic.
December 1977: Cuba sends troops to Ethiopia
In December 1977, Cuba sent its combat troops from Angola, the People's Republic of the Congo, and the Caribbean to Ethiopia, assisted by mechanized Soviet battalions, to help defeat a Somali invasion.
January 1978: Ethiopian and Cuban Troops Counterattack
On 24 January 1978, Ethiopian and Cuban troops counterattacked Somali forces, inflicting 3,000 casualties.
1979: US objects Soviet troops on the island
In 1979, the U.S. objected to the presence of Soviet combat troops on the island of Cuba.
1980: Mariel boatlift migration event
In 1980, the Mariel boatlift was one of Cuba's largest migration events.
1981: Public Sector Employment
In 1981 public sector employment was 91.8% and private sector 8.2%.
1983: US Invasion of Grenada
In 1983, U.S. forces invaded Grenada, overthrowing the pro-Castro government established after the coup and execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, defeating Cuban construction workers and military advisors.
1984: Cuba receives Soviet aid
According to a CIA declassified report, by 1984, Cuba had received $33 billion in Soviet aid.
1985: Military Expenditures
In 1985, Cuba devoted more than 10% of its GDP to military expenditures.
1987: Amnesty International Reports Death Sentences
According to Amnesty International, official death sentences from 1959 to 1987 numbered 237, with most carried out against those associated with the Batista regime.
1988: Cuban forces fought UNITA and South African forces
In 1988, Cuban forces alongside their MPLA allies fought UNITA rebels and apartheid South African forces at the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale.
September 1989: Cuban Forces Withdraw from Ethiopia
Cuban forces remained in Ethiopia until September 1989.
1989: Cuban Troops Withdraw from Angola
Cuba gradually withdrew its troops from Angola in 1989, with black and mixed-race soldiers forming a significant part of the deployed forces.
1990: Infant deaths
In 1990, infant mortality in Cuba was 10 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
September 1991: Soviet troops began to withdraw from Cuba
In September 1991, Soviet troops began to withdraw from Cuba, leading to economic challenges.
December 1991: Soviet Collapse and the Special Period
In December 1991, the collapse of the Soviet Union severely tested Castro's rule and marked the beginning of the "Special Period" in Cuba, characterized by economic difficulties.
1991: Medical care suffers shortages
In 1991, medical care in Cuba suffered from severe material shortages following the end of Soviet subsidies.
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
In 1991, the dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the beginning of a severe living crisis in Cuba.
1992: Cuba Signs Convention on Biological Diversity
In 1992, Cuba signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
1992: Tightening of U.S. Embargo
In 1992, medical care in Cuba suffered from severe material shortages due to a tightening of the U.S. embargo.
1992: Constitution of 1992
In 1992, the Constitution of 1976 was replaced by the Constitution of 1992, which is "guided by the ideas of José Martí and the political and social ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin."
1992: Cuban Democracy Act of 1992
In 1992, the Cuban Democracy Act stated that sanctions would continue as long as Cuba refuses to move toward democratization and greater respect for human rights.
1992: Start of Enclave Tourism
Tourism was initially restricted to enclave resorts where tourists would be segregated from Cuban society, referred to as "enclave tourism" and "tourism apartheid" from 1992.
1993: Cuba Accepts American Aid
In 1993, the Cuban government accepted American donations of food, medicines, and cash for the first time.
August 1994: Protests Dispersed in Havana
On 5 August 1994, state security dispersed protesters during a spontaneous protest in Havana.
September 1994: Agreement Between U.S. and Cuban Governments
On 9 September 1994, the U.S. and Cuban governments agreed that the U.S. would grant at least 20,000 visas annually in exchange for Cuba's pledge to prevent further unlawful departures on boats.
1994: Scale Down 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
In 1994, the Cuban rafter crisis was one of Cuba's largest migration events.
1995: GDP Shrinks by 35%
From the start of the crisis until 1995, Cuba experienced a 35% shrinkage in its gross domestic product (GDP).
1996: Helms-Burton Act Passed
In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Helms–Burton Act, strengthening the U.S. embargoes against Cuba, after Cuban fighter jets shot down two small aircraft piloted by a Florida-based anti-Castro group.
1997: End of De Facto Illegal Contact Between Tourists and Cubans
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. Prior to the visit, the Cuban government pardoned prisoners as a humanitarian gesture.
2000: Infant deaths
In 2000, infant mortality in Cuba was 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
2002: Cuban Census Finds Most of the Population is White
The 2002 Cuban census found that 65.05% of the population was white.
2003: Tourism Revenue in Cuba
In 2003, 1.9 million tourists visited Cuba, 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 during a period known as the "Black Spring".
2003: EU Accusations
In 2003, the EU accused the Cuban government of "continuing flagrant violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms".
2004: Batista as only non-white president
As of 2004, Batista remains the only non-white Cuban to win the nation's highest political office.
2005: Cuba's Exports and Imports in 2005
In 2005, Cuba's exports totaled US$2.4 billion, ranking 114th globally, while imports reached US$6.9 billion, ranking 87th.
2005: Infant deaths
In 2005, infant mortality in Cuba was 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
2005: US Geological Survey Oil Exploration
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.
2006: Public Sector Employment
By 2006, public sector employment was 78% and private sector 22%, compared to 91.8% to 8.2% in 1981.
2006: Cuba's Population Decline in 2006
Cuba's population began to decline in 2006, due to a low fertility rate and emigration.
2006: Cuba Starts Test-Drilling for Oil
In 2006, Cuba started to test-drill locations for possible oil exploitation.
2006: Dominance of Catholicism
In 2006, less than half of the population in Cuba identified as Catholics, it nonetheless remained the dominant faith.
February 2008: Raúl Castro Elected President
In February 2008, Fidel Castro resigned as President of the State Council due to illness, and on 24 February, his brother Raúl Castro was elected as president.
2008: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
In 2008, Cuba submitted a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
2008: Castro retires
In 2008, Fidel Castro retired after 49 years and Raúl Castro was elected as his successor.
2008: Raúl Castro Enacts Agrarian Reforms
In 2008, Raúl Castro began enacting agrarian reforms to boost food production, addressing the fact that 80% of food was imported at that time. The reforms aimed to expand land use and increase efficiency.
2008: Wage Caps Abandoned in Cuba
In 2008, it was announced that wage caps in Cuba would be abandoned to improve the nation's productivity.
2008: EU and Cuba Resume Relations
In 2008, the European Union 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.
2009: Call for Social and Economic Reform
As of 2009, the EU has continued to call regularly for social and economic reform, along with the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
2009: Obama Seeks New Beginning with Cuba
In 2009, United States President Barack Obama stated "the United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba", and he reversed the Bush Administration's prohibition on travel and remittances by Cuban-Americans from the United States to Cuba.
2009: Infant deaths
In 2009, infant mortality in Cuba was 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 in 2010
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 Own Houses
In 2010, Cubans were allowed to build their own houses, however the government would not endorse these new houses or improvements. 85% of Cubans own their homes and pay no property taxes or mortgage interest.
2010: Pew Forum estimation of religious affiliation
In 2010, the Pew Forum estimated that religious affiliation in Cuba is 59.2% Christian, 23% unaffiliated, 17.4% folk religion, and 0.4% other religions.
August 2011: Cuba Reaffirms Intent to Legalize Private Property Sales
On August 2011, The New York Times reported that Cuba reaffirmed its intent to legalize "buying and selling" of private property before the year's end, potentially transforming Cuba more than any other economic reform.
2011: Cuba's International Tourists
Cuba recorded 2,688,000 international tourists in 2011, the third-highest figure in the Caribbean.
2011: Muslim community in Cuba
In 2011, Cuba hosted a small community of Muslims (6,000).
2011: Nickel Exports in Cuba
In 2011, nickel accounted for 21% of total exports in Cuba.
2011: Communist Party Membership
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. Prior to the visit, the Cuban government pardoned prisoners as a humanitarian gesture.
2011: Cimavax vaccine
The lung cancer vaccine, Cimavax, has been available for free to the Cuban population since 2011.
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: Jewish community in Cuba
In 2012, Cuba hosted a small community of Jews (500).
2012: Cuba's Major Export Partners
In 2012, Cuba's major export partners included Canada (17.7%), China (16.9%), Venezuela (12.5%), Netherlands (9%), and Spain (5.9%).
2012: Peak in Cuban population
In 2012, the Cuban population peaked at 11.2 million.
January 2013: Travel Restrictions
Prior to 13 January 2013, Cuban citizens could not travel abroad, leave or return to Cuba without first obtaining official permission.
October 2013: Raúl Castro Intends to Merge Two Currencies
In October 2013, Raúl Castro said he intended to merge the two currencies in Cuba, but the dual currency system remained in force as of August 2016.
2013: Estimation of 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: Cuba Ends Travel Restrictions
In 2013, Cuba ended the requirement that citizens obtain a government permit and invitation letter to travel abroad, which had been in place since 1961.
2014: Study Shows Ancestry Composition
A 2014 study found that, based on ancestry informative markers, autosomal genetic ancestry is 72% European, 20% African, and 8% Indigenous.
2014: "Cuban Thaw" Agreement
In 2014, an agreement between the United States and Cuba, popularly called the "Cuban thaw", brokered in part by Canada and Pope Francis, began the process of restoring international relations between the two countries.
2014: Remittances to Cuba Exceed US$3 Million
In 2014, remittances to Cuba surpassed US$3 million, ranking seventh highest in Latin America. This financial influx highlights the economic importance of remittances for the country.
2014: Release of Alan Gross and Cuban Agents
In 2014, talks with American officials, including President Barack Obama, resulted in the release of Alan Gross, 52 political prisoners, and an unnamed non-citizen agent of the United States in return for the release of three Cubans convicted of espionage, along with a relaxation of the embargo between the U.S. and Cuba.
2014: Cuban healthcare workers
In 2014, there were around 50,000 Cuban-trained health care workers aiding 66 nations.
2015: Foreign-Born Population
As of 2015, the foreign-born population in Cuba was 13,336 inhabitants per the World Bank data.
2015: Eradication of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis
In 2015, Cuba became the first country to eradicate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
2015: Univision survey about religion
In 2015, a survey sponsored by Univision found that 44% of Cubans said they were not religious.
2015: US Opens Embassy in Havana
In 2015, the United States opened an embassy in Havana and reestablished diplomatic relations. Obama also announced he would remove Cuba from the American government's list of nations that sponsor terrorism, which Cuba reportedly welcomed as "fair".
2015: Pope Francis visits Cuba
Pope Francis visited Cuba in 2015. Prior to the visit, the Cuban government pardoned prisoners as a humanitarian gesture.
August 2016: Dual Currency System Still in Force
As of August 2016, the dual currency system in Cuba remained in force, despite intentions to merge the two currencies.
2016: Easing of American Tourism Restrictions
American tourism was incredibly limited due to the Cuban Missile Crisis until 2016, when most restrictions were limited but some remained in place.
2016: CIA World Factbook Reports Cuba's GDP Per Capita
In 2016, the CIA World Factbook estimated Cuba's GDP per capita at $12,300.
2016: Income Distribution Among Cubans
In 2016, the Miami Herald reported income distribution among Cubans: about 27% 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, including 1.5% earning over $1,000.
September 2017: US Considers Closing Cuban Embassy
On September 17, 2017, the United States considered closing its Cuban embassy following mysterious medical symptoms experienced by its staff.
September 2017: Hurricane Irma Hits Cuba
On September 8, 2017, Hurricane Irma struck Cuba with winds of 260 km/h, causing significant damage to hospitals, warehouses, and factories, particularly in the northern keys, leaving much of the north coast without electricity and resulting in ten deaths.
2017: Expected Number of Cooperatives Operating by 2017
By 2017 the Cuban government expects there to be approximately 10,000 cooperatives operating.
2017: Cuba Signed the 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 April 18, 2018, Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected president of Cuba after Raúl Castro's resignation.
2018: Study Indicates Potential for Mountaineering Activity in Cuba
A study in 2018 indicated that Cuba has a potential for mountaineering activity, and that mountaineering could be a key contributor to tourism, along with other activities.
2018: Cuba's Military Spending
As of 2018, Cuba spent about US$91.8 million on its armed forces or 2.9% of its GDP.
2018: Raúl Castro retires as president
In 2018, Raúl Castro retired as president of the Council of State, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected president by the National Assembly.
2018: Miguel Díaz-Canel Elected President
In 2018, Raúl Castro stepped down from the presidency, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected president of the State Council by the National Assembly.
2018: Internet access
Since 2018, access to Internet by mobile data is available in Cuba.
2018: Access to internet
Since 2018, access to the internet has become more widespread in Cuba, fueling calls for political and economic liberalization.
May 2019: Cuba Imposes Rationing of Staples
In May 2019, Cuba imposed rationing of staples such as chicken, eggs, rice, beans, soap and other basic goods. The rationing was blamed on the increased U.S. trade embargo but economists believe that an equally important problem is the massive decline of aid from Venezuela and the failure of Cuba's state-run oil company which had subsidized fuel costs.
June 2019: Government Announced 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 Imports/Exports
According to 2019 data, China stands as Cuba's main trading partner, followed by countries such as 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: Ratification of the 2019 Constitution
Following the ratification of the 2019 Constitution, the President of Cuba is limited to two consecutive five-year terms.
2019: Internet users
In 2019, 7.1 million Cubans could access the Internet.
2019: New Constitution Approved
In 2019, Cuba approved a new constitution, with 90% of voters in favor, which affirms the Communist Party's role, establishes fundamental rights, and imposes presidential term limits.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2019, Cuba had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 5.4/10, ranking it 102nd globally out of 172 countries.
2019: Remittances to Cuba Grown to US$6,616 million
In 2019, remittances to Cuba had grown to US$6,616 million, demonstrating a significant increase in financial support from abroad.
July 2020: Cuba Opens Stores Accepting Only 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: World Press Freedom Index
Cuba ranks 171st out of 180 on the 2020 World Press Freedom Index.
2020: Remittances to Cuba Drop to US$1,967 million Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, remittances to Cuba dropped to US$1,967 million, a significant decrease attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the economy.
2020: World Bank Reports Cuba's GDP Per Capita
In 2020, the World Bank estimated Cuba's GDP per capita at $9,500.
2020: Tourism decreases due to pandemic
In 2020, the pandemic severely affected tourism revenue in Cuba, decreasing the number of tourists by 75%.
January 2021: End of Dual Currency System in Cuba
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.
January 2021: Economic reform
Since the economic reform of January 2021, all the salaries in Cuba increased by at least 5 times.
April 2021: Díaz-Canel Becomes First Secretary
On April 19, 2021, Díaz-Canel became First Secretary of the Communist Party, the first non-Castro to hold the position since the Cuban Revolution of 1959.
June 2021: Deadline for Exchange of CUCs
Cuban citizens had until June 2021 to exchange their convertible Cuban pesos (CUCs) following the elimination of the dual currency system.
July 2021: Protests Against the Government
In July 2021, large protests against the government took place in Cuba under the banner of Patria y Vida, with support from Cuban exiles and international acclaim for the associated song.
2021: Minimum Monthly Wage
After a reform in 2021, the minimum monthly wage is about 2100 CUP (US$81), and the median monthly wage is about 4000 CUP (US$155).
2021: Scale Down 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.
2021: Imprisoned Journalists
Cuba was ranked 19th by the number of imprisoned journalists of any nation in 2021.
2021: Díaz-Canel becomes First Secretary
In 2021, Raúl Castro retired as First Secretary of the Communist Party, and Miguel Díaz-Canel was elected thereafter, becoming Cuba's first leader born after the Cuban Revolution.
2021: Monetary reforms and Cuban Protests
In 2021, monetary reforms in Cuba introduced shocks of inflation, further exacerbating food scarcity. Also in 2021, Cuban protests were suppressed by the police, with artists and bloggers detained.
2021: United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index for Cuba
In 2021, the United Nations Development Programme gave Cuba a Human Development Index of 0.764.
2021: Cuban migration to the United States surges
In 2021, there was a surge of Cubans trying to enter the United States, primarily through the Mexican border, increasing from 39,000 in 2021 to over 224,000 in 2022.
November 2022: Díaz-Canel Visits Vladimir Putin in Moscow
In November 2022, Díaz-Canel visited Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where they opened a monument of Fidel Castro and spoke out against U.S. sanctions against Russia and Cuba.
2022: Family Code Amended
In 2022, Cuba approved a referendum to amend the Family Code, legalizing same-sex marriage, allowing surrogate pregnancy and same-sex adoption, and providing free gender reassignment surgery and transgender hormone therapy.
2022: Cuban migration to the United States peaks
In 2022, more than 2% of the Cuban population migrated to the United States. Many Cubans sold their homes at very low prices to afford one-way flights to Nicaragua, hoping to travel through Mexico to reach the U.S.
2023: Study estimates extreme poverty
A 2023 study by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights estimated that 88% of the population lives in extreme poverty.
2023: Cuban Observatory of Human Rights Reports Extreme Poverty
In 2023, a Cuban Observatory of Human Rights report stated that 88% of Cuban citizens live in extreme poverty, highlighting concerns about food security and access to basic goods.
2023: United Nations Agency Estimates Cuba's Multidimensional Poverty Index
In 2023, a United Nations agency estimated Cuba's Multidimensional Poverty Index at 0.003.
January 2024: Cuba defense pact with Belarus
In January 2024, Cuba has upgraded its S-125 Pechora air defense systems with Belarusian support, after signing a defense pact with Belarus.
2024: Cuba Blackouts
In 2024, Cuba experienced severe blackouts, marking the most significant living crisis since 1991, attributed by Díaz-Canel to the United States embargo hindering necessary supplies.
2024: Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index
In 2024, Cuba ranked 29th on the 2024 Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, the highest ranking of a developing country.
2024: Internet Access
In 2024, it was reported that 8.19 million Cuban people have Internet access.
2025: Cuba Blackouts
In 2025, Cuba experienced severe blackouts, marking the most significant living crisis since 1991, attributed by Díaz-Canel to the United States embargo hindering necessary supplies.
2025: Cuban population dips below 10 million
In 2025, the national population of Cuba dipped below 10 million for the first time since 1980. This signifies a 13% loss of population since 2012, when the Cuban population peaked at 11.2 million.
February 2026: Energy Shortages in Cuba
In February 2026, Cuba faced widespread energy shortages, rolling blackouts, hospital shortages, and flight cancellations after US intervention in Venezuela and expanded US sanctions on trade with Cuba.
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