Why Russia is Kind of a Big Deal in Cuba

And why we’re not.

There was a time — not too long ago — when the Soviet Union was essentially the world to Cuba. The union between the two was once so powerful it almost started a nuclear conflict with the US (see: Cuban Missile Crisis). And their breakup was so epic it sent Cuba into economic collapse in the 1990’s.

Here’s the deal: Russia has influenced generations of Cubans and its presence is gaining steam once again.

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To understand why Russia is kind of a big deal you have to go back to the days when sugar was king and America was super bitter.

The Revolution happened. US assets were seized and our longest-running embargo commenced. You could say we weren’t exactly on neighborly terms. So, when Cuba needed a little help it turned to its far away Communist friend. Fidel Castro asked Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev for a solid. Soon Cuba was selling sugar to the Soviet Union and getting fuel in exchange.

Cuba and the Soviets have had their highs and lows ever since. There was the failed US Bay of Pigs Invasion — which brought them even closer — and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which made things, well, a bit complicated.

A woman walks on Calle Amargura in Habana Vieja.

Nonetheless by the 1980s, Russia was tied to about 80% of Cuba’s exports and imports. In fact in 1985 the Soviets paid over 11 times the world price for Cuban sugar…so for a time Russia was officially Cuba’s sugar daddy.

And the Soviets weren’t complaining back then. It was pleased to have a partner less than 100 miles off of US shores during the Cold War.

Then the Soviet Union collapsed. So, that happened.

All at once those subsidies were gone. Stores went empty in Cuba. Fuel and food shortages were suddenly a reality. And curiously enough Russia’s legacy grew larger in its absence.

The ‘Libreta de Abastecimiento’ allow Cuban citizens access to basics such as eggs, rice and oil.

Fidel rebranded this tragedy and named this time in the 1990’s The Special Period.

It was a Special Period indeed. Every day was like a surprise. You didn’t know where you might get medicine, or soap or protein.

Cubans say that time of scarcity became their university — teaching them about creativity, innovation and resilience. The gap Soviet subsidies left became a vibrant space for growth. And now a new generation of entrepreneurs are putting all that learning into action.

Russian cars are prevalent throughout Havana.

However, Russia isn’t just leading with its legacy these days. It’s beginning to have an influence again by its presence. New Russian Ladas are making it onto Cuban streets again, Russian oil is coming into Cuba’s ports again, and Russian locomotives are making it onto Cuba’s railroads.

Trade between the two countries is expected to reach $350 million dollars or more — the highest it’s been in over two decades.

All this love between Russia and Cuba is growing as the US is tightening travel and scaling back on its diplomatic engagement.