Andrés Pertierra
@andrespertierra.bsky.social
Historian of Cuba and Communist systems. LatAm & Caribbean History PhD candidate at UW-Madison. U of Havana BA, UW-Madison MA. Bylines in The Nation Mag & Dissent Mag, among others.
USSR itself?
November 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
USSR itself?
tl;dr
with what we know right now, this doesn't seem to pass the smell test *to me*. If they have actual evidence of this claim, now or in the future, I can revisit
with what we know right now, this doesn't seem to pass the smell test *to me*. If they have actual evidence of this claim, now or in the future, I can revisit
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
tl;dr
with what we know right now, this doesn't seem to pass the smell test *to me*. If they have actual evidence of this claim, now or in the future, I can revisit
with what we know right now, this doesn't seem to pass the smell test *to me*. If they have actual evidence of this claim, now or in the future, I can revisit
Venezuela is a key strategic ally of Cuba, and vice versa. They support each other across a host of arenas. Assassinating the head of Venezuela to keep the Chavista project around seems... like a huge escalation, change in dynamic, and would prob cause huge divisions in Chavismo.
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Venezuela is a key strategic ally of Cuba, and vice versa. They support each other across a host of arenas. Assassinating the head of Venezuela to keep the Chavista project around seems... like a huge escalation, change in dynamic, and would prob cause huge divisions in Chavismo.
As always, if new facts come to light I'm fine with changing my position, but this seems more like the kind of thing that US officials have mistakenly convinced themselves of or that they want the public to believe rather than something actually true
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
As always, if new facts come to light I'm fine with changing my position, but this seems more like the kind of thing that US officials have mistakenly convinced themselves of or that they want the public to believe rather than something actually true
It certainly fits the narrative of Venezuela as 'colonized'/'occupied' by Cuba, but that narrative has never seemed especially convincing to me.
Cuba doubtless helps out and would be very disappointed/worried if Venezuela collapsed, but he's not Ngo Dinh Diem
Cuba doubtless helps out and would be very disappointed/worried if Venezuela collapsed, but he's not Ngo Dinh Diem
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
It certainly fits the narrative of Venezuela as 'colonized'/'occupied' by Cuba, but that narrative has never seemed especially convincing to me.
Cuba doubtless helps out and would be very disappointed/worried if Venezuela collapsed, but he's not Ngo Dinh Diem
Cuba doubtless helps out and would be very disappointed/worried if Venezuela collapsed, but he's not Ngo Dinh Diem
Not sure if there's a precedence for this in the 90s or not. Anyone recall if anything on this scale happened back then?
November 21, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Not sure if there's a precedence for this in the 90s or not. Anyone recall if anything on this scale happened back then?
Though we lack an official reason for the measure, this explanation based on inference in the piece seems the most likely: the accounts are frozen because the money deposited in them was already spent, making this a sort of de facto forced loan
November 21, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Though we lack an official reason for the measure, this explanation based on inference in the piece seems the most likely: the accounts are frozen because the money deposited in them was already spent, making this a sort of de facto forced loan
It's surprisingly common during the Cold War! Cuba was angry at the Soviets for trading with Junta Brazil in the late 60s when Cuba failed to meet its sugar quota, lots of countries were mad at China for agreements with Pinochet's Chile, etc.
And, of course, Cuba's pro-Russia stance now
And, of course, Cuba's pro-Russia stance now
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
It's surprisingly common during the Cold War! Cuba was angry at the Soviets for trading with Junta Brazil in the late 60s when Cuba failed to meet its sugar quota, lots of countries were mad at China for agreements with Pinochet's Chile, etc.
And, of course, Cuba's pro-Russia stance now
And, of course, Cuba's pro-Russia stance now
Great catch! Wasn't aware of that.
I'm not sure if you are up to date on my current project, but I'm doing Spain-Cuba from 1975-1999 (did MINREX archives). We should chat at some point! Very different periods but I'm sure you have more than a few bits of advice for looking at the Spain connection
I'm not sure if you are up to date on my current project, but I'm doing Spain-Cuba from 1975-1999 (did MINREX archives). We should chat at some point! Very different periods but I'm sure you have more than a few bits of advice for looking at the Spain connection
November 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Great catch! Wasn't aware of that.
I'm not sure if you are up to date on my current project, but I'm doing Spain-Cuba from 1975-1999 (did MINREX archives). We should chat at some point! Very different periods but I'm sure you have more than a few bits of advice for looking at the Spain connection
I'm not sure if you are up to date on my current project, but I'm doing Spain-Cuba from 1975-1999 (did MINREX archives). We should chat at some point! Very different periods but I'm sure you have more than a few bits of advice for looking at the Spain connection
All of this does highlight, however, how Cuba and other socialist countries, along with many far right governments during the Cold War, could have surprisingly collaborative economic relationships in spite of all their political differences (eg. USSR & Brazil, China & Chile)
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
All of this does highlight, however, how Cuba and other socialist countries, along with many far right governments during the Cold War, could have surprisingly collaborative economic relationships in spite of all their political differences (eg. USSR & Brazil, China & Chile)
Cuba was never Franquista, of course. As soon as it was clear that Juan Carlos I was going to back a democratic transition, Cuba was happy to see the Franquista diplomatic corps on its way out.
This was just a bit of realpolitik, the kind all states engage in when it matters
This was just a bit of realpolitik, the kind all states engage in when it matters
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Cuba was never Franquista, of course. As soon as it was clear that Juan Carlos I was going to back a democratic transition, Cuba was happy to see the Franquista diplomatic corps on its way out.
This was just a bit of realpolitik, the kind all states engage in when it matters
This was just a bit of realpolitik, the kind all states engage in when it matters
The Spanish Ambassador, meanwhile, apparently spent the 'mourning' period driving around Havana and insisting the flags be lowered to half mast. Cubans would respond with bewilderment, acquiesce when they confirmed 'mourning', and then raise the flags when the Ambassador left
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The Spanish Ambassador, meanwhile, apparently spent the 'mourning' period driving around Havana and insisting the flags be lowered to half mast. Cubans would respond with bewilderment, acquiesce when they confirmed 'mourning', and then raise the flags when the Ambassador left
The problem was that the announcement was meant to privately curry favor with the Spanish Ambassador but not be publicized. The problem was, of course the Ambassador (a Franquista) would crow about it.
Fidel later commented to Rubiales later 'you got us in quite a situation'
Fidel later commented to Rubiales later 'you got us in quite a situation'
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The problem was that the announcement was meant to privately curry favor with the Spanish Ambassador but not be publicized. The problem was, of course the Ambassador (a Franquista) would crow about it.
Fidel later commented to Rubiales later 'you got us in quite a situation'
Fidel later commented to Rubiales later 'you got us in quite a situation'
So, Rubiales frantically called around to see who he knew in the government who would listen to him that he'd acted in good faith and even seen the decree personally. Finally, he reached an official who had checked the claim and confirmed that it was entirely legit
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
So, Rubiales frantically called around to see who he knew in the government who would listen to him that he'd acted in good faith and even seen the decree personally. Finally, he reached an official who had checked the claim and confirmed that it was entirely legit
Rubiales got another call, this time from one of his Cuban handlers, informing him that he was being kicked out of the country for being a liar about that official mourning decree. Rubiales was shocked and insisted that it was real; his handler insisted the idea was absurd
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Rubiales got another call, this time from one of his Cuban handlers, informing him that he was being kicked out of the country for being a liar about that official mourning decree. Rubiales was shocked and insisted that it was real; his handler insisted the idea was absurd
Rubiales was incredulous, but the Spanish Ambassador told him to come to the Embassy to see the decree for himself. He drove to the Embassy, verified it was legit, and wrote up a wire dispatch which he dutifully filed with his bosses in Madrid. Then came the consequences
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Rubiales was incredulous, but the Spanish Ambassador told him to come to the Embassy to see the decree for himself. He drove to the Embassy, verified it was legit, and wrote up a wire dispatch which he dutifully filed with his bosses in Madrid. Then came the consequences
The then EFE correspondent, Francisco Rubiales, woke up the day after Franco's death (perhaps with a slight hangover from celebrating the Caudillo's death over sparkling cider with friends) to a phone call from the Spanish Ambassador with the news of the official mourning
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The then EFE correspondent, Francisco Rubiales, woke up the day after Franco's death (perhaps with a slight hangover from celebrating the Caudillo's death over sparkling cider with friends) to a phone call from the Spanish Ambassador with the news of the official mourning
Understandably, Havana wanted to play it safe as far as Cuban interests were concerned. Instead of tapdancing on his grave or giving Spain the cold shoulder, Cuba issued its formal condolences for Franco's death and decreed three days of official mourning
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Understandably, Havana wanted to play it safe as far as Cuban interests were concerned. Instead of tapdancing on his grave or giving Spain the cold shoulder, Cuba issued its formal condolences for Franco's death and decreed three days of official mourning
In the Caudillo's final months, as his body was ravaged by Parkinson's, the government increasingly ground to a halt. It was unclear what would follow Franco's decades-long rule.
A democratic transition was possible (his coalition was divided) but so was a continuation via army
A democratic transition was possible (his coalition was divided) but so was a continuation via army
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In the Caudillo's final months, as his body was ravaged by Parkinson's, the government increasingly ground to a halt. It was unclear what would follow Franco's decades-long rule.
A democratic transition was possible (his coalition was divided) but so was a continuation via army
A democratic transition was possible (his coalition was divided) but so was a continuation via army
In any case, while limited to chargé d'affaires and with a de facto ban on Ambassador rank diplomats, both countries continued to trade significantly in the 1960s, though it diminishes somewhat as Cuba is further integrated into COMECON in the early 1970s
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
In any case, while limited to chargé d'affaires and with a de facto ban on Ambassador rank diplomats, both countries continued to trade significantly in the 1960s, though it diminishes somewhat as Cuba is further integrated into COMECON in the early 1970s
There's also claims that Spain maintaining its presence in Cuba allowed it to gather intelligence (just like Cold War Mexico did) in ways that countries that severed ties could not, which is *probably* true but afaik still unproven
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
There's also claims that Spain maintaining its presence in Cuba allowed it to gather intelligence (just like Cold War Mexico did) in ways that countries that severed ties could not, which is *probably* true but afaik still unproven
There's a lot of theories for why this is. To my mind, I don't think this is settled definitively. A lot of it seems to be inference.
Mostly, it seems that Spanish trade with Cuba was significant & beneficial, plus Franco did not want to bow to US pressure on Cuba out of pride
Mostly, it seems that Spanish trade with Cuba was significant & beneficial, plus Franco did not want to bow to US pressure on Cuba out of pride
November 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
There's a lot of theories for why this is. To my mind, I don't think this is settled definitively. A lot of it seems to be inference.
Mostly, it seems that Spanish trade with Cuba was significant & beneficial, plus Franco did not want to bow to US pressure on Cuba out of pride
Mostly, it seems that Spanish trade with Cuba was significant & beneficial, plus Franco did not want to bow to US pressure on Cuba out of pride
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, while many countries severed ties with Cuba completely, Spain did not.
It came close, with the so-called Lojendio Affair in January of 1960, when the Spanish Ambassador by that name almost got into a fistfight with Fidel, relations never broke
It came close, with the so-called Lojendio Affair in January of 1960, when the Spanish Ambassador by that name almost got into a fistfight with Fidel, relations never broke
November 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, while many countries severed ties with Cuba completely, Spain did not.
It came close, with the so-called Lojendio Affair in January of 1960, when the Spanish Ambassador by that name almost got into a fistfight with Fidel, relations never broke
It came close, with the so-called Lojendio Affair in January of 1960, when the Spanish Ambassador by that name almost got into a fistfight with Fidel, relations never broke