Striving for an Alternative World Order: The Journey of Cuban Anti-Imperialism from History to Modernity

The article employs structural analysis to examine the evolution of Cuban antiimperialist ideology. It begins by analyzing the historical context—Cuba’s struggle against colonial dependence on Spain and its subsequent incorporation into the U.S. sphere of influence—which shaped the foundations of its anti-imperialist thought. Central to this ideological framework are the ideas of Cuban national hero José Martí, who articulated two core principles that later became structural components of Cuban anti-imperialism: resistance against oppression and the unification of regional countries in this struggle. The article traces the development of Martí’s ideas as they were adopted and expanded upon by diverse political movements, including radical patriots, socialists, and communists. Particular attention is given to the interpretation of anti-imperialist thought by Julio Antonio Mella, the founder of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban section of the Anti-Imperialist League of the Americas. After the Cuban Revolution's victory in 1959, a new structural component emerged under Marxist-Leninist influence: the principle of proletarian internationalism. This principle was institutionalized in Cuban anti-imperialist ideology and codified in official documents, including foreign policy declarations and the 1976 Constitution. Following the collapse of the "world system of socialism" and the USSR, during the "Special Period in Peacetime," Cuba was compelled to reevaluate its economic foundations and foreign policy. This period saw the removal of proletarian internationalism from the Cuban Constitution and the termination of military assistance to national liberation and revolutionary movements. Cuban internationalism shifted its focus to humanitarian missions, marking a significant ideological transformation.
The VI Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba (2011) reinforced these changes, with humanitarian missions increasingly commercialized where feasible, and foreign policy emphasizing the defense of international law, advocacy for multipolarity, and the pursuit of an alternative, fairer world order. In contemporary Cuban anti-imperialism, the Marxist-Leninist components—such as class analysis and proletarian internationalism—play a reduced role, reflecting the leadership's adaptability to changes in the international system.
This analysis highlights the evolution and resilience of Cuban anti-imperialist ideology as it adjusts to shifting geopolitical realities while maintaining its foundational principles.

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