Empty beaches, Cuba also hit hard by sanctions against Russia

close ties

In addition to tourists, Cuba also receives oil and financial support from Russia. For example, food aid was sent during the pandemic. Russia and Cuba have had close ties since the Cold War. During the Cuban Revolution of 1959, dictator Fulgencio Batista was ousted by a guerrilla army led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, after which Cuba became communist.

The Soviet Union was Cuba’s most important ally and, conversely, Cuba was strategically located for the Russians off the coast of the United States. It all led to tensions with the Americans. They imposed a trade embargo in the early 1960s, which is still in force.

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