Cubans

Cubans are the citizens and people of Cuban origin who live in Cuba and in communities abroad. Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean, located south of the United States and east of the Yucatán Peninsula. The country has roughly 11 million residents on the island, with a large diaspora in the United States (especially Florida) and sizable communities in Spain, Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Cuban identity is diverse, reflecting European, African, and Indigenous ancestries, as well as centuries of cultural exchange.

Historically, the population includes descendants of Spanish colonists, enslaved Africans, and Indigenous groups. After a long period as a Spanish colony, Cuba gained formal independence in 1902 following the Spanish-American War, though American influence persisted. The 1959 Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, established a socialist state that remained in power for decades. U.S.–Cuba relations have been shaped by embargoes, diplomatic shifts, and ongoing emigration, including major waves such as the Mariel boatlift in 1980. Since the 2010s, leadership transitioned from Castro to Miguel Díaz-Canel, with some economic reforms and changes in foreign engagement, though the state maintains one-party rule.

Cuban culture is renowned for music, dance, and literature, with genres such as son, rumba, mambo, and contemporary salsa influencing global arts. The country has a high literacy rate and a widely regarded healthcare system. The economy combines state planning with limited private enterprise in certain sectors, and tourism is a major economic activity. The Cuban diaspora has contributed to cultural and professional life abroad, especially in the United States and Latin America.