Hare Assesses the Strengths and Limits of Cuba’s Public Diplomacy
In a new article for the CPD Blog titled “Cuba’s Public Diplomacy: Can it Be Effective Against Trump’s Threats?”, Paul Webster Hare, Master Lecturer and former British ambassador to Cuba, analyzes how Cuba has employed public diplomacy for decades as a means of advancing its interests and navigating tensions with the United States. Hare argues that, “Even before the Internet the Cuban leadership realized that outreach to other countries was a way of ensuring the Revolution’s survival. A small country could show the world how to withstand the pressure of its powerful neighbor.”
Hare traces Cuba’s diplomatic strategy from Fidel Castro’s early engagement with international audiences to the country’s longstanding efforts to build goodwill through medical missions, humanitarian assistance, and leadership within the Non-Aligned Movement. These initiatives, he notes, have helped Cuba cultivate international support, including repeated United Nations votes condemning the U.S. embargo.
At the same time, Hare acknowledges that Cuba’s public diplomacy faces significant challenges. Economic hardship, political repression, and large-scale emigration have weakened the government’s credibility at home, even as Havana continues to generate international sympathy. He contrasts the diplomatic opening pursued by the Obama administration with the renewed pressure and sanctions imposed under President Trump, arguing that Cuba once again finds itself engaged in a high-stakes diplomatic contest.
Looking ahead, Hare suggests that Cuba’s recent economic reforms and efforts to attract foreign investment represent a new phase in its public diplomacy strategy. As Havana attempts to navigate growing U.S. pressure while maintaining support from international partners, he concludes that Cuba’s experience in strategic messaging and international engagement will face one of its most significant tests in decades.
The full article can be read here.