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Latin America's Push for Cuba: Policy Options for Engagement in the Western Hemisphere

This article explores Latin America's evolving relationship with Cuba, emphasizing Cuba as a central issue in regional diplomacy, especially following the Cold War. The increasing visits by Latin American leaders to Cuba and the unified call for the U.S. to end its embargo signify a shift towards a more assertive diplomatic approach. The region’s desire to reintegrate Cuba into the fold reflects a consensus on fostering stability and economic prosperity. Additionally, the text reviews the implications of this engagement for U.S. foreign policy and regional dynamics.

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Latin America's Push for Cuba: Policy Options for Engagement in the Western Hemisphere

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  1. Latin America’s push to bring Cuba back into the fold Professor Jorge Heine The Centre for International Governance Innovation www.cigionline.org Engaging Cuba:  Policy Options for the United States, Europe, and the Western Hemisphere November 16, 2009 5th Floor Conference Room Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 9:15 AM – 12:30 PM

  2. Cuba as an emblematic issue for Latin America and the Caribbean • Always been so, but especially so in the course of • this decade • A post-Cold War environment • A more assertive region, with political stability and • economic prosperity • Diversified diplomatic links and international markets • Cuban situation as a relic of an era of regional • subordination

  3. Latin American and CaribbeanEmbassies in Cuba

  4. Cuban Embassies in Latin American and Caribbeancountries

  5. An issue which generates unanimous support • The Latin American and Caribbean Summit in • Costa de Saipe on 16-17 Dec. 08 • The invitation to Cuba to join the Rio Group • The letter signed by all heads of state and • government asking the US to end the • embargo on Cuba • The follow-up with many state visits to • Havana

  6. Visits to Cuba in 2009 • So far this year Cuba has received the visits from: • President Evo Morales, Bolivia • President Fernando Lugo, Paraguay • President Martin Torrijos, Panama • President Rafael Correa, Ecuador • President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, • Argentina • President Michelle Bachelet, Chile • President Álvaro Colom, Guatemala • President Leonel Fernández, Dominican • Republic • President Manuel Zelaya, Honduras • President Hugo Chávez, Venezuela • President Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua • Prime Minister David Thompson, Barbados • and several other Caribbean leaders. • ** President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, Brazil, visited in 2008 Source: “Paraguayan president, tenth Latin leader to visit Cuba this year”, MercoPress, 2 June 2009 Available at, http://en.mercopress.com/2009/06/02/paraguayan-president-tenth-latam-leader-to-visit-cuba-this-year

  7. Latin American Engagement with Cuba

  8. The OAS resolution in the San Pedro Sula meeting in June 2009 • A major breakthrough in lifting the 1962 resolution that had suspended Cuba

  9. Cuban Imports: LatinAmerica and Caribbean (in US$million)

  10. Cuban Exports: LatinAmerica and Caribbean(in US$million)

  11. Mexico’s historical position on the Cuban question • Basic principles of Mexican foreign policy • Not an issue of Left or Right, but on how to • conduct foreign relations • Stance of Government of President Felipe • Calderón falls squarely in that position

  12. Brazil’s and Chile’s strong commitment to “bringing Cuba back in” • President Lula visited Cuba twice in 2008, • and hosted Costa de Saipe Summit • President Bachelet was the first Chilean • president to visit Cuba in 37 years (Feb 09)

  13. Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s position on Cuba • Cubans’ sense of ownership of the • Revolution • Need to respect that and not bet on stirring • up further conflicts • Start talks between Washington and Havana, • but without artificial deadlines • or conditions

  14. President Obama’s Latin American policy and the Cuban question • Despite a crowded agenda, some early • signals of interest in the region • Lack of movement on trade • Mixed signals on Honduras • Policy toward Cuba as a litmus test

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