| For a long time, the United States and Cuba had a | | | | Eastern Bloc nations and further segregate the United |
| tremendous trade relationship. The US purchased | | | | States from its once Latin ally. When Batista was in |
| Cuban sugar by the millions of tons and Cuba bought | | | | control, a lot of American businesses had operations |
| a ton of goods from the US. It was a firm | | | | in Cuba because it was a growing, fledging economy |
| relationship between the two. However, things began | | | | in the Caribbean. When Fidel Castro took over, he |
| to deteriorate in 1958 when Fidel Castro and his | | | | nationalized the entire country which included the |
| rebels waged war against the Batista government. | | | | American businesses which further infuriated the |
| This declaration of war resulted in Fidel Castro | | | | government in America. |
| becoming the supreme ruler of Cuba for the next | | | | Things got worse, though, when people were banned |
| 40+ years. | | | | from traveling to and from Cuba. Cubans that left |
| A lot of people know only that the embargo is what | | | | Cuba were not allowed to go back to Cuba and they |
| it is because that's the way it has been for so long. | | | | were not allowed to send money or gifts to any of |
| However, where did it all come from? It all started | | | | their family in Cuba. In essence, there were no |
| when the Cuban government, after Batista was | | | | discussions between Cuba and the United States. |
| forced into exile, aligned with the Soviet Union. The | | | | There was just hate. |
| United States had stopped purchasing over seven | | | | These days, there are often talks of getting rid of |
| million tons of sugar from the Cubans and in return, | | | | the Cuban embargo. There is a considerable amount |
| the Soviet Union told Cuba that they'd purchase it. | | | | of money to be made for both countries if trade |
| They also told Cuba that they'd sell weapons to | | | | opens up and with trade opening up, there might be |
| them, something the United States had said they | | | | pushes to get a more constitutional government. |
| wouldn't do. | | | | However, for that to happen, there needs to be |
| Both of these acts forced Cuba to join with the | | | | pushes to get rid of the embargo. |