JISELLE GRULLON – History 3072: History of Modern Latin America, Fall 2024

Cuba’s transformation into a communist state under Fidel Castro marked a significant escalation in Cold War tensions. The Cold War’s effects on Cuba were profound, fundamentally reshaping the country’s political, economic and social landscape that are still evident today. The memorandum titled, CIA Handling of the Soviet Build-up in Cuba, by Richard Lehman, touches on this subject. Written one month before the Cuban-Missile Crisis, he voiced his concerns about the U.S.’s ‘‘lack of urgency’’ about the possibility of missile deployments.

A critical component of the Cuban-Missile Crisis was the intelligence gap during U-2 reconnaissance aircraft flights, thus creating what is referenced to as the ‘‘photo gap.’’ This gap delayed the detection of Soviet missile deployments in Cuba, allowing the USSR to make significant progress in establishing a strategic foothold in the Western Hemisphere. Lehman reports, ‘‘The establishment on Cuban soil of Soviet nuclear striking forces which would be used against the U.S. would be incompatible with Soviet policy as we presently estimate it. It would indicate a far greater willingness to increase the level of risk in U.S.-Soviet relations than the USSR has displayed thus far…However, Soviet military planners have almost certainly considered the contribution which Cuban bases might make to the Soviet strategic posture and, in that connection, the feasibility and utility of deploying nuclear delivery systems to Cuba. Therefore, this contingency must be examined carefully, even though it would run counter to current Soviet policy’’ (14). By the time U-2 imagery confirmed the presence of missile sites, the installations were nearly operational, compressing the decision making timeline for the U.S.. This gap not only heightened the crisis, but also revealed the limitations of U.S. intelligence strategies.

The everlasting effects the Cold War left on Latin America as a whole can never be denied. The U.S. viewed Latin America as a critical battleground to prevent the spread of communism. Efforts such as the Law of the Permanent Defense of Democracy in Chile, banned the Communist party, and further pushed back from the spread of the red. On the other hand, the Soviet Union and Cuba supported these communist movements, prolonging conflict. The lasting impacts of this period are evident in weakened democratic institutions, socioeconomic inequality, and a legacy of skepticality towards foreign intervention in Latin America.

The Cold War profoundly shaped Cuba’s political, social and economic landscape, placing it in a key position between the U.S. and Soviet Union. The photo gap caused by restrictions on U-2 flights and the U.S.’s ‘‘lack of urgency’’, as stated by Lehman, showcased the dangers of miscalculations, intelligence failures and underestimations. These events not only defined Cuba’s place in Cold War history, but Latin America as a whole. Cuba’s experience reflects the broader struggles of Latin America during this period of foreign interference, that is still seen today.

Lehman, Richard. “CIA, Richard Lehman to Director of Central Intelligence, ‘CIA Handling of the Soviet Build-up in Cuba, 1 July – 16 October 1962,’ 14 November 1962, Top Secret, Excised Copy, with Cover Memoranda Attached.” National Security Archive, 31 May 2012, nsarchive.gwu.edu/document/15740-document-5-cia-richard-lehman-director.

Research Assignment #2 – Estatua de Colón

Cristobal Colón, known to most as Christopher Columbus, is a fairly controversial figure in Puerto Rico. Since the arrival of the Spaniards in 1493, the island had faced systemic marginalization and exploitation; starting with the colonization that wiped out large portions of the indigenous Taínos. The Spaniards renamed ‘Borikén’ to Puerto Rico, meaning rich port, because of its resources which were stripped from their hands without regard. Once the indigenous population died down, they relied on African slaves for labor, creating a stronger Spaniard economy. This forced them into a slavery based economy and a territory of dictatorship under Spain. Moving forward to the Spanish-American war in 1898, once the U.S. gained control of the island, conditions for Puerto Ricans were no different from before. Though slavery was abolished in 1873, the exploitative conditions the plantation workers were put under were not much different. To this day, the economic and political challenges actively affect the majority of the island. This includes limited self-governance, unequal treatment under U.S. laws, etcetera. The history of colonialism and dependency on a ‘Mother country’ has contributed to consistent issues for Puerto Rico, illustrating a pattern of demise.

The statue of Colón was put there as commemoration of his discovery of Puerto Rico. His influence on the exploration of the New World, enhancing the knowledge we have today cannot be denied, but the manner in which it was done can never be justified. The image of the statue was taken in the light of Colón being a savior, an explorer that led to greater things for Spaniards, a booming economy, etcetera. The reality behind this was that the statue made the people of Puerto Rico (working class) question their identity. Much like the Ecuadorians in the “Popular Liberalism and Indian Servitude” reading by Derek Williams. He writes, “With the elimination of tutelage, Indians would in theory enjoy the same legal identity and capacity as the commonality of Ecuadorans” (Williams 705). [keywords in theory] The sense of not belonging to either generalization is what created the Puerto Rican diaspora. The diaspora emerged as a response to the political instability, economic challenges, and the impact of Spanish colonial rule on the people.

The statue of Colón symbolizes the complex and controversial legacy of Spaniard colonization, serving as a focal point for the island’s ongoing struggles with identity and historical memory. The mixed emotions surrounding Colón, ranging from pride in heritage to criticism of colonial oppression, reflect the broader implications of colonialism on Puerto Rican identity. Ultimately, the statue stands as a reminder of a painful past, but also the growth made since 1493.