Cuba has a fascinating history. Ever since Conquistador Diego founded Havana on August 25, 1515 Cuba has spiraled onto the world stage. The Spaniards would soon conquer all of Cuba and have their way with the natives. They would rule for nearly 400 years. Cuban Spaniards would trade with Europe and grow rich. During the 1800s southern states in the US thought of joining forces with the pro-slave Cuba. Then, Cuba was liberated from the Spanish in the late 1800s by the USA. Roosevelt had just taken office in 1902. As always, exported sugar, coffee, and tobacco were great for the Cuban economy. Cuba is the 17 th largest island in the world. They are a mineral resource. Cobalt is huge. And there are many exploitations for oil. Both Mexico and Canada started to trade with Cuba, despite USA shaking their head. Many countries would not engage with Cuba, so Russia had to support all of Cuba's needs. Russia would have to buy all of Cuba's sugar even though Russia was growing enough domestic sugar beets. Apparently Russia saw some value in Cuba. In exchange, Cuban soldiers would fight Russian interests in South Africa. Even Cuban citizens started build enthusiasm for freeing South Africa of the US & China influence. Amazing how quickly the young Cuban nation adopted a foreign countries dreams. At one point, the whole of Angola's health system was run by Cuban Doctors. Throughout the '70 & '80 the Cubans would send troops to many parts of Africa. Cubans occupied much of Africa throughout the 1900s. Raul Castro has just recently taken over for his brother Fidel Castro who is in declining health. The Cuban Population is now allowed to purchase things like computers and micro-waves. I know this is random, but interesting.
