Spain-Cuba relations (1959-1970). Between revolutionary internationalism, counterintelligence activities and diplomatic pragmatism

Abstract

The triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 was an event of great international impact. The Castro guerrillas received support from activists and groups from other Latin American countries and from Spanish exiles. In the following years, Cuban authorities strengthened and expanded their international ties, advocating for the international reach of revolutionary movements. Castro’s foreign policy aroused suspicion in other countries, such as Spain, which feared the rise of international communism. The Franco regime’s relations with Cuba were conditioned by pressure from its main ally, the United States, the Cuban regime’s main adversary.
Based on research and a critical study of bibliography and documentation from Spanish and international archives, much of it unpublished or little known until now, this article aims to analyze the evolution of relations between Spain and Cuba from 1959 till 1970 from different perspectives, focusing on aspects such as the influence of the Spanish exile community and its links with Castroism; Revolutionary internationalism driven by Cuba, its covert activities, and its influence on antifrancoist armed organizations; the existence of anti-subversive counterintelligence networks; and the Spanish dilemma between its own economic interests and the US blockade against Cuba.