Fidel had dubbed 1960 “The Year of Agrarian Reform,” but a better label might have been “The Year of Confrontation.” The month leading up to Mikoyan’s visit in February saw a rapid deterioration in U.S.-Cuban relations and an open acceleration of Cuba’s “socialization.” A tit-for-tat war began in early January with a note of protest sent by Secretary of State Herter over the “illegal seizures” of American-owned property, for which no compensation had been paid. Cuba responded by seizing all the large cattle ranches and all sugar plantations in the country, including those owned by Americans.
...more
