The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, marked the anniversary of the Maine explosion with a familiar refrain: blaming the United States for the island's woes, sparking indignation among Cubans.
Rodríguez took to X to assert, "The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor 128 years ago is just one in a long line of fabricated excuses by the U.S. government, even at the cost of their own citizens' lives, to militarily intervene in other nations."
He continued, "It served as the pretext for intervening in Cuba's war of independence when Spain's colonial power was on the brink of military defeat. The U.S. snatched the credit for victory from Cuban patriots and imposed four years of imperialist occupation that affected our national history for over half a century."
For the regime’s foreign minister, any historical date is an opportunity to accuse the U.S. of its ongoing "warmongering, imperialist, and interventionist policies that continue to jeopardize regional and international peace, stability, and security."
However, many Cubans are more concerned with the current hardships brought on by more than sixty years of Castro's policies. "Stop blaming a ship that exploded a century ago for the country you’ve been sinking for six decades. The Maine sank once. You sink Cuba every day. History won't absolve you. The facts have already condemned you," a user retorted.
Another Cuban noted, "Using 1898 as a smokescreen in 2026 doesn't solve blackouts, free political prisoners, or explain why such a resource-rich country is now in ruins."
This person further argued, "Cuba's independence was fought by Cubans, yes. But it was later mortgaged by an elite that turned sovereignty into a slogan while trading away freedom. Less museum rhetoric and more accountability. The past can’t be an eternal excuse for present failures."
One Cuban pointed out to Rodríguez that his version of history neglects to mention figures like Calixto García and Céspedes, who sought U.S. aid and intervention in the war. "You can also say that Cubans cheered and applauded when the Americans entered the city," he replied.
Cuban Perceptions of Historical Narratives
Why do Cubans criticize the government’s narrative on the Maine explosion?
Cubans criticize the government's narrative because they see it as a diversion from the real issues affecting their daily lives, such as economic hardship and lack of political freedom, rather than addressing the failures of the current regime.
How do historical events like the Maine explosion impact current Cuban-American relations?
Historical events like the Maine explosion are often used by the Cuban government to frame the United States as a perennial aggressor, which can affect diplomatic discourse and perpetuate a narrative that distracts from current issues.
What are some criticisms of Cuba’s handling of its historical narrative?
Critics argue that Cuba uses historical narratives selectively to blame external forces for internal problems, avoiding accountability for the government's policies and their impact on the Cuban people.