Havana history

Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1898, after two hard-fought wars. The United States entered the battlefield late, took credit for victory early and commandeered Cuban politics and industry for 60 years.

Americans flocked to Havana, which had turned into a mafia-financed playground of cheap liquor, prostitution, gambling and fancy hotels and nightclubs. However, corruption was rife and the gap between rich and poor was growing ever wider. A group of guerrillas, under the leadership of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Camilo Cienfuegos, finally succeeded in overthrowing the dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 and the Americans fled, taking much of Cuba's wealth with them.

In 1961, the American government, organised a mercenary force to overthrow Castro and company. However, much to the embarrassment of the Americans, their forces suffered a resounding defeat at the Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón).

When Cuba declared itself socialist, the US imposed a full trade blockade, including travel restrictions to Cuba by Americans, that has been in place ever since.