Cuba–United Kingdom relations
Bilateral relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cuba and the United Kingdom maintain bilateral relations. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 20 May 1902.[1] Both countries share common membership of the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement,[2] and a Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement.[3]
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History
The United Kingdom established diplomatic links with Cuba following their independence from Spain in 1902 with the diplomatic link remaining unbroken.[4] In 2019, the then Prince Charles paid an official visit to Cuba.[5] In 2021, Cuba and the UK announced intentions to strengthen their bilateral relations.[6]
Trade
In 1964, Cuba ordered ten diesel-electric locomotives similar to the British Rail Class 47 from a British manufacturer.[7]
Cultural relations
Sports
Cricket has some history of being played in Cuba before the mid-20th century, when baseball grew as part of the overall American influence in the Caribbean.[8] In 1928, Sir Julien Cahn brought his cricket team to Havana to promote cricket and donated a trophy competed for up until the Cuban Revolution, whereafter baseball was promoted as mandatory in schools over cricket.[9] At the turn of the 21st century, support was given by the British Foreign Office and UK Sport to bring cricket to Cuba;[10] Fidel Castro, the leader of Cuba at the time, saw cricket as a possible way to distance Cuba from the United States.[11] The British started sending coaches to Cuba following them joining the International Cricket Council in 2002.[12] In 2006, the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone attended a Cuban cricket match as part of a stop-over on his way to visit Venezuela.[13]
Resident diplomatic missions
Cuba has an embassy in London.[14] whilst the United Kingdom has an embassy in Havana.[15]
Embassy of Cuba in London
