Embargoes, nuclear crisis dominate U.S. relationship with Cuba

The 1961 trade embargo implemented by the United States against Cuba has dominated the relationship between the two countries for the last 46 years. But the small island 90 miles from the U.S. mainland was a source of controversy long before 1961. Hugh Thomas, in his book, “Cuba: The Pursuit of Freedom,” states that as early as 1854, U.S. diplomats…