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The businessman Elon Musk, known for his controversial statements and his role as director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the current administration of Donald Trump, made a trip to Havana in 2013 on a diplomatic mission related to the government of Barack Obama.
The purpose of the trip was to negotiate the release of Alan Gross, an American contractor arrested in Cuba, whose situation was hindering the rapprochement between Washington and Havana at that time.
The reminder of this Musk trip to Cuba was reported by journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla this Friday on Café Fuerte.
The owner of X visited the island accompanied by actor Sean Penn and investor Shervin Pishevar. The delegation toured the streets of the Cuban capital, met with officials, and visited the University of the Arts (ISA) under the pretext of discussing issues related to internet usage in the educational sector in the country.
At that moment, in January 2013, Musk was a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party and an enthusiastic donor to Barack Obama's reelection campaign in 2012.
His former closeness to the Democratic administration contrasts with his current stance, marked by support for Donald Trump and criticism of government-funded institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which he has labeled as "criminal organizations".
The trip of Musk to Cuba took place in a context of bilateral tensions, where the release of Gross was a key point for the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States. The initiative did not achieve immediate success, but it was part of the efforts that led to the diplomatic "thaw" announced in December 2014.
A decade after that episode, Musk's figure has evolved from a visionary entrepreneur to an influential political actor with conservative positions.
Since Trump's rise to power, Musk has been driving a campaign against public spending, advocating for cuts that directly impact international aid programs, including those that support independent media and civil society organizations in Cuba.
Musk's past involvement in diplomatic actions in Cuba provides an intriguing perspective on his trajectory and clear evidence of how his view of the U.S. government's role in international affairs has evolved.
Alan Gross was released in 2014
Alan Phillip Gross arrived in Cuba in 2009 as a contractor with the aim of establishing guidelines for internet access in the country. He was accused of undermining "the national independence and territorial integrity of the State." He remained imprisoned for five years.
In 2019, during the first term of Donald Trump, Gross gave a interview to CiberCuba and criticized the Republican president's stance towards the island, noting that the sanctions imposed by his administration were harming the people more than the government.
Gross, who was imprisoned in Cuba for trying to establish communication networks, emphasized the irony that these activities are now legalized. He advocated for strengthening the private sector as key to the economic future and dismissed the effectiveness of the embargo.
This man was a hostage of the regime, but he maintained emotional ties with the people of Cuba. He advocated for constructive relations between both countries and warned that there are no more "financial angels" in the world to subsidize the Cuban government.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elon Musk's Visit to Cuba and Its Political Impact
What was the purpose of Elon Musk's trip to Cuba in 2013?
The purpose of Elon Musk's trip to Cuba in 2013 was to negotiate the release of Alan Gross, an American contractor arrested on the island, as part of a diplomatic mission linked to the government of Barack Obama.
How has Elon Musk's political stance changed since his visit to Cuba?
Since his visit to Cuba in 2013, Elon Musk has shifted from being a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party to endorsing Donald Trump and criticizing institutions funded by the U.S. government. Previously, he was an enthusiastic donor to Obama's reelection campaign.
What impact did Musk's trip have on relations between Cuba and the United States?
Musk's trip was part of the efforts that eventually led to the diplomatic "thaw" between Cuba and the United States, announced in December 2014. Although it was not immediately successful, it was a step in the process of normalizing bilateral relations.
How does Musk's current stance affect organizations in Cuba?
The current stance of Musk, supporting cuts to international aid programs such as USAID, negatively impacts independent media and NGOs in Cuba, which relied on these funds to promote democracy and human rights on the island.
What role does Elon Musk play in Donald Trump's current administration?
Elon Musk is the director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the administration of Donald Trump. His role is to implement reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and public spending, which includes actions against institutions such as the NED and USAID.
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