It’s a curious twist of historical fate that a small island in the Caribbean became a flashpoint of conflict between global powers for more than 60 years. Cuba’s role in the major events of the past century far exceeds what one would expect from a country of its size.
Incredibly, even now, with the Cold War long relegated to the past, the status of that embattled socialist country is occupying the minds of world powers. U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio seem determined to topple a repressive regime that has proved resilient in the face of non-stop crises.
Amid a dire fuel shortage on the island that has led to cutbacks in vital services, China recently suggested it could provide a lifeline. But it remains unclear how far Beijing is willing to go to save Havana.