The Cuban Revolution and the New Latin American Leadership

Abstract

From the early days of the revolutionary triumph of January 1959, Cuba has embraced the dream of Latin American freedom and solidarity. It has accordingly given priority to supporting Latin American and Caribbean revolutionary movements engaged in taking political power through armed struggle and the construction of socialism and groups involved in other forms of struggle for democracy, national liberation, and social justice. At the same time, it has pursued policies with regard to the reformist civilian governments of the region that have helped to reduce the influence of U.S. administrations and their hemispheric allies. It has repeatedly reaffirmed its desire for political and economic integration with the countries of the region as a step toward true independence in the face of neoliberal globalization. With the emergence in the region of new leftist leadership seeking postneoliberal economic alternatives and participatory democracy, its cooperative relations with other Latin American countries have strengthened and deepened.