How Did The Soviet Movement Influence The Cuba's Movement?

1000 Words2 Pages

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, a NAM member state, in December 1979 occurred at the beginning of Cuba’s tenure of chair position. As the NAM was built upon values to “fight against oppression, racism, Zionism, and fascism,” it also sought to ensure “independence of all countries and peoples” which was not shown to be a priority for Cuba while it was holding chair of the movement because it did not act upon the invasion of a member country. By not condemning the invasion, many member states felt the movement’s principles were compromised as Cuba exerted pro-Soviet views on the movement, showing how it was re-orienting it based on its own values.

While Castro denies having imposed Cuba’s “ideology or system on anyone, either inside or …show more content…

Before Cuba became the leader of the NAM, the organization was on stable terms with both East and West Blocs. However, Cuba’s leadership of the NAM initiated more radical and anti-US views within the movement, differing from the movement’s original neutral tenets, showing how Cuba influenced the movement’s philosophies. Fidel Castro was committed to his “specific national and ideological goals” which included increasing relations with the Soviet Union. Such glorification is heard in speeches such as “were it not for the existence of the Soviet Union, the measure of independence enjoyed by the small countries… would be simply unthinkable”. This was after the Cuban inauguration speech on September 3rd 1979 at the Sixth Summit conference in Havana where Fidel Castro referred to the US as “Yankee imperialists”, foreshadowing the anti-US direction of the …show more content…

This can also be seen from non-member countries such as the US, when President Ronald Reagan wrote to the Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi how he “was confident that during India’s tenure as Chairman the ideals upon which the movement was founded will be its guiding principles”. This shows from a primary source how Cuban leadership was anti-western, even though the source being the President is bias. The result was due to Cuban values changing the direction, meaning, and purpose of which the NAM was founded upon. In this case Cuba did influence the NAM but the NAM also influenced Cuba as many member countries supported Cuba’s anti-West policies, strengthening Cuba’s leadership of the

Open Document