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Chronology

Welcome

Cuba’s national territory includes more than 4000 islands and islets, conforming this huge archipelago in te Caribbean.

The largest island, two-thirds the size of Florida, in the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico is around 43,000 square miles with panoramic cays, outlying islands, and islets.  It is located 87 miles from the Bahamas, 90 miles from Key West, Florida 91 miles from Jamaica, and 130 miles from Cancun.  Cuba is one of the best kept secrets for a tourist destination in the world today.

The population of Cuba is almost 14 million of which almost 75% live in rural areas.  Cuba is a long and narrow island 846 miles long and 130 miles wide at it widest spot and 20 miles at its narrowest spot.  Cuba has four mountain ranges with Turquino being the highest peak at 6476 feet.  The climate ranges from semi-desert to tropical rain forests.

A chronology of key events in the history of Cuba

1492

The navigator Christopher Columbus claims Cuba for Spain.

1492

1511

Spanish conquest begins under the leadership of Diego de Velazquez

Who establishes the country’s first seven townships:  Baracoa, Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, Santisima Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe (Camaguey) and San Cristobal de La Habana (Havana was founded in 1519 and officially became the Capital City of Cuba in 1607).

1511

1526

Importing of slaves from Africa begins

1526

1762

Havana captured by a British force

Cuba becomes a colony of England for 11 months.

1762

1763

Havana returned to Spain by the Treaty of Paris

1763

Chronology

Wars of independence

1868-78

Ten Years War

Ten Years War of independence ends in a truce with Spain promising reforms and greater autonomy – promises that were mostly never met.

1868-78

1886

Slavery abolished.

1886

1895-98

Jose Marti leads a second war of independence

US declares war on Spain.

1895-98

1898

US defeats Spain

Which gives up all claims to Cuba and cedes it to the US.

1898

Chronology

US tutelage

1902

Cuba becomes independent

with Tomas Estrada Palma as its president; however, the Platt Amendment keeps the island under US protection and gives the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs.

1902

1906-09

Estrada resigns

And the US occupies Cuba following a rebellion led by Jose Miguel Gomez.

1906-09

1909

Jose Miguel Gomez becomes president

Following elections supervised by the US, but is soon tarred by corruption.

1909

1912

US forces return to Cuba

To help put down black protests against discrimination.

1912

1924

Gerardo Machado institutes vigorous measures

Forwarding mining, agriculture and public works, but subsequently establishing a brutal dictatorship.

 

1924

1925

Socialist Party founded

Forming the basis of the

Communist Party.

1925

1933

Machado overthrown in a coup led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista

1933

1934

The US abandons its right to intervene in Cuba’s internal affairs

Revises Cuba’s sugar quota and changes tariffs to favor Cuba.

1934

1944

Batista retires and is succeeded by the civilian Ramon Grau San Martin

1944

1952

Batista seizes power again and presides over an oppressive

And corrupt regime.

1952

1953

Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful revolt against the Batista regime

1953

1956

Castro lands in eastern Cuba

From Mexico and takes to the Sierra Maestra mountains where, aided by Ernesto “Che” Guevara, he wages a guerrilla war.

1956

1958

The US withdraws military aid to Batista

1958

Chronology

Triumph of the revolution

1959

Castro leads a 9,000-strong guerrilla army into Havana

Forcing Batista to flee. Castro becomes prime minister, his brother, Raul, becomes his deputy and Guevara becomes third in command.

1959

1960

All US businesses in Cuba are nationalized without compensation

1960

1961

Washington breaks off all diplomatic relations with Havana

The US sponsors an abortive invasion by Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs; Castro proclaims Cuba a communist state and begins to ally it with the USSR.

1961

1962

Cuban missile crisis

Cuban missile crisis ignites when, fearing a US invasion, Castro agrees to allow the USSR to deploy nuclear missiles on the island. The crisis was subsequently resolved when the USSR agreed to remove the missiles in return for the withdrawal of US nuclear missiles from Turkey.

Organization of American States (OAS) suspends Cuba over its “incompatible” adherence to Marxism-Leninism.

1962

1965

Cuba’s sole political party renamed the Cuban Communist Party

A group of exiled counterrevolutionaries are held under arrest after their failed, US-backed invasion at the Bay of Pigs in 1961

1965

1972

Cuba becomes a full member of the Soviet-based Council

For Mutual Economic Assistance.

1972

1976

Cuban Communist Party approves a new socialist constitution

Castro elected president.

1976

1980

Many convicts flee to the US.

Around 125,000 Cubans, many of them released convicts, flee to the US.

1980

1988

Cuba agrees to withdraw its troops from Angola

Following an agreement with South Africa.

1988

Chronology

Surviving without the USSR

1991

Soviet military advisers leave Cuba

following the collapse of the USSR.

1991

1993

The US tightens its embargo on Cuba

Which introduces some market reforms in order to stem the deterioration of its economy. These include the legalization of the US dollar, the transformation of many state farms into semi-autonomous cooperatives and the legalization of limited individual private enterprise.

1993

1994

Cuba signs an agreement with the US

According to which the US agrees to admit 20,000 Cubans a year in return for Cuba halting the exodus of refugees.

1994

1996

US trade embargo

US trade embargo made permanent in response to Cuba’s shooting down of two US aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles.

1996

1998

Pope John Paul II visits Cuba and The US eases restrictions

The US eases restrictions on the sending of money to relatives by Cuban Americans.

1998

1999

Cuban child Elian Gonzalez is picked up off the Florida coast

Cuban child Elian Gonzalez is picked up off the Florida coast after the boat in which his mother, stepfather and others had tried to escape to the US capsized. A huge campaign by Miami-based Cuban exiles begins with the aim of preventing Elian from rejoining his father in Cuba and of making him stay with relatives in Miami.

1999

2000-June

Elian allowed to rejoin his father

In Cuba after prolonged court battles.

2000-June

2000-October

US House of Representatives approves the sale of food and medicines to Cuba

2000-October

2000-December

Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Cuba

And signs accords aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

2000-December

2001-October

Cuba angrily criticizes Russia’s decision to shut down the Lourdes radio-electronic center on the island

Saying President Putin took the decision as “a special gift” to US President George W Bush ahead of a meeting between the two.

2001-October

2001-November

US exports food to Cuba

For the first time in more than 40 years after a request from the Cuban government to help it cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Michelle.

2001-November

2002-May

US Under Secretary of State John Bolton accuses Cuba

Of trying to develop biological weapons, adding the country to Washington’s list of “axis of evil” countries.

Former US president Jimmy Carter makes a goodwill visit which includes a tour of scientific centres, in response to US allegations about biological weapons. Carter is the first former or serving US president to visit Cuba since the 1959 revolution.

2002-May

2002-June

National Assembly amends the constitution

To make socialist system of government permanent and untouchable. Castro called for the vote following criticisms from US President George W Bush.

2002-June

2003 March-April

”Black Spring” crackdown on dissidents draws international condemnation

75 people are jailed for terms of up to 28 years; three men who hijacked a ferry to try reach the US are executed.

2003 March-April

2003-June

EU halts high-level official visits to Cuba

In protest at the country’s recent human rights record.

2003-June

2004-April

UN Human Rights Commission censures Cuba

Over its rights record. Cuban foreign minister describes resolution – which passed by single vote – as “ridiculous”.

2004-April

2004-May

US sanctions restrict US-Cuba family

US sanctions restrict US-Cuba family visits and cash remittances from expatriates.

2004-May

2004-October

President Castro announces ban on transactions in US dollars

And imposes 10% tax on dollar-peso conversions.

2004-October

2005-January

Havana says it is resuming diplomatic contacts with the EU

Frozen in 2003 following a crackdown on dissidents.

2005-January

2005-May

Around 200 dissidents hold a public meeting

Said by organisers to be the first such gathering since the 1959 revolution.

2005-May

2006-February

Propaganda war in Havana

As President Castro unveils a monument which blocks the view of illuminated messages – some of them about human rights – displayed on the US mission building.

2006-February

2006-July

President Fidel Castro undergoes gastric surgery

And temporarily hands over control of the government to his brother, Raul.

2006-July

2006-December

Fidel Castro’s failure to appear

At a parade to mark the 50th anniversary of his return to Cuba from exile prompts renewed speculation about his future.

2006-December

2007-April

A lawyer and a journalist are given lengthy jail terms after secret trials

Which rights activists see as a sign of a crackdown on opposition activity.

2007-April

2007-May

Castro fails to appear at Havana’s annual May Day parade

Days later he says he has had several operations.

Anger as the US drops charges against veteran anti-Castro militant Luis Posada Carriles, who is a former CIA operative and Cuba’s “Public Enemy No. 1” accused of downing a Cuban airliner.

2007-May

2008-February

Raul Castro takes over as president

Days after Fidel announces his retirement.

2008-February

2008-June

Plans are announced to abandon salary equalityPlans are announced to abandon salary equality

The move is seen as a radical departure from the orthodox Marxist economic principles observed since the 1959 revolution.

EU lifts diplomatic sanctions imposed on Cuba in 2003 over crackdown on dissidents.

2008-June

2008-December

Russian warships visit Havana for first time since end of Cold War.

Government says 2008 most difficult year for economy since collapse of Soviet Union. Growth nearly halved to 4.3%.

2008-December

Chronology

Crisis measures

2009

Government unveils austerity program

Government unveils austerity program to try to cut energy use and offset impact of global financial crisis.

Organization of American States (OAS) votes to lift ban on Cuban membership imposed in 1962. Cuba welcomes decision, but says it has no plans to rejoin.

Cuba signs agreement with Russia allowing oil exploration in Cuban waters of Gulf of Mexico.

2009

2010-July

President Castro agrees to free 52 dissidents

Under a deal brokered by the Church and Spain. Several go into exile.

2010-July

2011-January

US President Barack Obama relaxes restrictions

On travel to Cuba. Havana says the measures don’t go far enough.

2011-January

2011-March

Last two political prisoners detained during 2003

Crackdown are released.

2011-March

Chronology

New Reforms take shape

2011-August

National Assembly approves economic reforms

Aimed at encouraging private enterprise and reducing state bureaucracy.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Pope Benedict – pictured with Raul Castro – criticized both the US and Cuba during his visit

2011-August

2011-November

Law allowing individuals to buy and sell private property

Cuba passes law allowing individuals to buy and sell private property for first time in 50 years.

2011-November

2012-March

Pope Benedict visits

Criticizing the US trade embargo on Cuba and calling for greater rights on the island.

Cuba marks Good Friday with a public holiday for the first time since recognition of religious holidays stopped in 1959.

2012-March

2012-November

Hurricane Sandy

President Raul Castro says the eastern province of Santiago was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy, with 11 people dead and more than 188,000 homes damaged. A United Nations report says Sandy destroyed almost 100,000 hectares of crops.

2012-November

2013 February

The National Assembly re-elects Raul Castro as president

He says he will stand down at the end of his second term in 2018, by which time he will be 86.

2013 February

2014-March

Cuba agrees to a European Union invitation

To begin talks to restore relations and boost economic ties, on condition of progress on human rights. The EU suspended ties in 1996.

2014-March

2014-September/October

Cuba sends hundreds of frontline medical

Cuba sends hundreds of frontline medical staff to West African countries hit by the Ebola epidemic.

2014-September/October

Chronology

Rapprochement with USASurviving without the USSR

2014-December

US President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raul Castro announce moves to normalize diplomatic relations

In a surprise development, US President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raul Castro announce moves to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries, severed for more than 50 years.

Washington eases some travel and trade restrictions on Cuba.

Two days of historic talks between the US and Cuba take place in Havana, with both sides agreeing to meet again. The discussions focus on restoring diplomatic relations, but no date is set for the reopening of embassies in both countries.

President Raul Castro calls on President Obama to use his executive powers to bypass Congress and lift the US economic embargo on Cuba.

2014-December

2015

Cuba and US

Cuban and US diplomats say they have made progress in talks in Washington to restore full relations.

Cuba establishes banking ties with US, which drops country from list of states that sponsor terrorism.

Cuba and US reopen embassies and exchange charges d’affaires.

Cuban and US officials hold preliminary talks on mutual compensation.

2015

2016 January

US eases a number of trade restrictions with Cuba

Cuba and the European Union agree to normalize relations.

US President Barack Obama visits Cuba in the first US presidential visit there in 88 years.

2016 January

2016 May

Cuba takes steps to legalize small and medium-sized businesses

Cuba takes steps to legalize small and medium-sized businesses as part of economic reforms.

2016 May

Chronology

Fidel Castro's death

20-6 November

Fidel Castro dies at the age of 90

Fidel Castro, former president and leader of the Cuban revolution, dies at the age of 90. Cuba declares nine days of national mourning.

20-6 November

2017-January

Washington ends a long-standing policy

Which grants Cuban immigrants the right to remain in the US without a visa.

2017-January

2017-June

US President Donald Trump overturns some aspects

Some aspects of predecessor Barack Obama’s policy on Cuba which brought about a thaw in relations between the two countries.

2017-June

2017-October

Diplomatic row over mysterious sonic attacks

Which are said to have affected the health of US and Canadian embassy staff in Havana.

2017-October

2018 April

Senior Communist Party stalwart Miguel Diaz-Canel becomes president

Ending six decades of rule by the Castro family.

2018 April

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