U.S. Severed Diplomatic Relations with Cuba in 1961

Today in Latin American history, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961.

The U.S. chose to close the American Embassy in Havana in light of Fidel Castro’s uprising.

The action signaled that the United States was prepared to take extreme measures to oppose Castro’s regime, which U.S. officials worried was a foothold of communism in the western hemisphere.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, Stephen F. Austin received a grant of land in Texas from the government of Mexico in 1823

Today in LatAm history, Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrendered to American forces on charges of drug trafficking in 1990

Today in LatAm history, Mexican band leader Juan García Esquivel who is known as “The King of Space Age Pop” died in 2002