The island of Cuba was inhabited by numerous Mesoamerica tribes prior to its discovery by the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492. After Columbus arrival, Cuba became a Spanish colony, ruled by a Spanish governor in Havana. In 1762, Havana was briefly occupied by Great Britain, before being returned to Spain in exchange for Florida. A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule. However, increased tensions between Spain and the United States, which culminated in the Spanish–American War, finally led to a Spanish withdrawal in 1898, and in 1902 Cuba gained formal independence.[1] In the years following its independence, the Cuban republic saw significant economic development, but also political corruption and a succession of despotic leaders, culminating in the overthrow of the dictator Fulgencio Batista by the 26th of July Movement, led by Fidel Castro, during the 1953–9 Cuban Revolution.[2] Cuba has since been governed as a socialist state by the Communist Party, although Castro himself stepped down as leader in 2008, being replaced by his brother Raúl Castro.[3] Cuba has been politically and economically isolated by the United States since the Revolution, but has gradually gained access to foreign commerce and travel President of cuba
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:49:16 +0000