American History Hit USA & Cuba: A Brief History
Sep 22, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Michael Bustamante, an expert on Cuban history and author of 'Cuban Memory Wars', delves into the complex history of US-Cuba relations. He explores Cuba's colonial past, the dramatic shifts from Batista to Castro, and the impact of the Cold War. Bustamante discusses the evolution of the US embargo, Cuba’s strategic role globally, and the effects of Obama’s normalization efforts. He reflects on the personal experiences of everyday Cuban life and shares his hopes for future relations between the two nations.
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Hemingway House Standoff
- Don Wildman recounts a tense filming standoff at Hemingway's house in Cuba that highlighted lingering Cuban-American tensions.
- The crew resolved the dispute and shared mojitos, underscoring how personal interactions can soothe political friction.
Castro As Continuation Of Past Revolutions
- Michael Bustamante argues Castro framed 1959 as culmination of a nineteenth-century struggle for independence.
- This historical framing explains early popular support for Castro's revolution.
Havana's Strategic Rise
- Havana rose from a strategic transshipment hub for Spanish fleets rather than early wealth production.
- Its harbor and location made Cuba geopolitically valuable long before massive sugar profits arrived.
