Cuba enters World War I on the side of the Allies. The Provincial Revolutionary Government is overthrown by members of the military and civilians loyal to Batista, who is backed by the U.S. He remains in control of the country behind a series of puppet presidents. The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the U.S. and Cuba to the brink of nuclear war. The Soviets attempt to install medium-range missiles in Cuba—capable of striking targets in the United States with nuclear warheads. Denouncing the Soviets for “deliberate deception,” President Kennedy promised a U.S. blockade of Cuba to stop the missile delivery. Six days later, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered the missile sites dismantled and returned to the USSR in return for a U.S. pledge not to attack Cuba. The U.S. establishes limited diplomatic ties with Cuba on Sept. 1, 1977, making it easier for Cuban Americans to visit the island. Russia and Cuba sign a deal to increase ties between the countries. U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bolton accuses Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons. He adds the country to the list of nations President George W. Bush said form the “axis of evil.” Former president Jimmy Carter visits Cuba. He criticizes the U.S. embargo against Cuba as well as Cuba’s human rights record. Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque in February signs the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. The Covenants ensure citizens’ political and civil freedom, and gaurantee the right to work, fair wages, social security, education, and high standards of physical and mental health. The government relaxes land restrictions for private farmers in July, in an effort to boost the country’s poor food production and reduce dependence on food imports. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike strike Cuba in August and September, causing devastating damage across the island. In a government shake-up, Cabinet Secretary Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, veterans of the Fidel Castro era, resign. The Organization of American States lifts its 47-year suspension of Cuba. Cuba, however, said it would not resume membership in the organization. With the economy in tatters largely a result of the 2008 hurricanes and the world financial crisis, the government announces massive cuts to public sector jobs. In October, buying and selling cars becomes legal. Raul Castro also starts allowing Cubans to go into business for themselves in a variety of approved jobs. The next month, government allows real estate to be bought and sold for the first time since the revolution. The government pardoned more than 2,900 prisoners in December. The government announces that beginning in early 2013 Cubans will no longer be required to acquire a costly exit visa when leaving the country. The State Department sends a recommendation to the president that Cuba be removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, a major hurdle in the path toward normalizing relations. In April, President Obama and Cuban president Raul Castro meet at the Summit of the Americas in Panama. It is the first time the countries’ leaders hold a face-to-face meeting in more than 50 years. According to news reports, Obama and Castro vow to open embassies in both countries. “Our governments will continue to have differences,” Obama says. “At the same time, we agreed that we can continue to take steps forward that advance our mutual interests.” President Obama announces in July that Cuba and the U.S. have reached an agreement to open embassies in Washington D.C. and Havana. The U.S. Embassy in Havana is scheduled to open by the end of July.
