Cuban Troops Begin Withdrawal from Angola
The withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola marked a significant moment in the lengthy and tumultuous Angolan Civil War, which began in the wake of Portuguese decolonization. On January 10, 1989, Cuba initiated the process of withdrawing its forces that had been actively supporting the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since 1975. This conflict involved multiple factions, namely the MPLA, the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), each aligned with different international powers during the Cold War. The MPLA, supported by the Soviet Union and Cuba, was engaged in a struggle against the FNLA and UNITA, which received backing from the United States, South Africa, and China.
Cuban involvement was driven by a desire to promote socialist ideologies and combat imperialism, while also enhancing its standing on the global stage. The conflict not only showcased the geopolitical tug-of-war between superpowers but also highlighted Angola's strategic importance due to its rich mineral resources. Following a series of intense battles and diplomatic negotiations, a U.S.-brokered agreement facilitated Cuba's withdrawal in the context of broader peace efforts that included the independence of Namibia. By 1991, the complete withdrawal of Cuban troops was finalized, representing a pivotal shift in Angola's ongoing struggle for stability and independence.
Cuban Troops Begin Withdrawal from Angola
Cuban Troops Begin Withdrawal from Angola
After participating in a long, bloody civil war in the African nation of Angola, on January 10, 1989, Cuba began to withdraw its troops, which had been supporting one of the three warring factions. Those factions had been competing for control in Angola since the Portuguese colonial dictatorship collapsed on April 25, 1974, and their struggle for power continued long after Angola had gained full independence from Portugal in 1975.
The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (identified by the Portuguese acronym FNLA) had the support of the United States and Zaire; the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) was supported by South Africa and China; and the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a communist faction, was backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba. Although Angola was a third-world country, the internal struggle, supported covertly at first, soon became a tug of war between superpowers and nearly escalated into a direct confrontation. Five separate nations were drawn into the conflict primarily because of the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. During this time, Angola was seen as strategically important, especially since it was rich in mineral resources, making control over the region increasingly desirable geopolitically.
Long before Angola had received its independence from Portugal, the Soviet Union had been covertly supporting the MPLA. The Soviets were believed to have made an agreement with MPLA leader Agostinho Neto which guaranteed the establishment of Soviet naval bases in Angola if the MPLA gained control of the country. The Soviets shipped weapons, sent money, and trained members of the MPLA in Soviet military colleges and camps to use the sophisticated armaments.
It was during this time, in 1975, that Cuban involvement began, first with the shipment of weapons, and then with the deployment of Cuban troops to fight side-by-side with their MPLA counterparts. Although he knew the importance of the mineral-rich land, Castro's reasons for entering the Angolan conflict differed from those of the Soviet Union. Cuba's foreign policy at this time focused on intervening in anticolonial struggles and spreading socialist ideologies— especially in Africa. By aligning Cuba with other socialist regimes, Castro hoped to build its global influence and autonomy and thereby diminish its dependence on the Soviet Union. Castro sought a reputation for Cuba as a Soviet ally instead of a Soviet dependent, hoping that would eventually give Cuba more political clout throughout the world. Cuba's participation in a foreign struggle also took the focus away from its domestic problems and inspired national pride. Fighting capitalism in a foreign country united Cubans in a common cause and suppressed internal divisions while it reinforced Cuban propaganda about the evils of U.S. imperialism. This was exactly what Castro needed during a time of economic instability at home.
As Soviet and Cuban intervention increased, the United States grew more worried about the spread of communism and what that could mean to the African continent as a whole. In October 1975, under intense U.S. pressure, South Africa agreed to enter the Angolan conflict. South Africa had its own reasons for participating in the war, however. It was concerned about Angola's neighboring country of Namibia, which South Africa had controlled since 1915. South Africa feared that Namibia might launch a rebellion of its own after seeing the Angolans' success over Portugal. Within two months, South African forces had gained a large amount of territory while suffering very few casualties in various clashes with Angolan and Cuban forces.
The South Africans launched another all-out invasion of Angola in 1981. They had practically defeated the opposition when the United States, fearing that events were becoming dangerously chaotic, asked them to pull back. After numerous bloody battles, U.S. president Ronald Reagan brokered an agreement among South Africa, Cuba, and Angola in December 1988 that granted Namibia independence and required that all foreign forces leave Angola. On January 10, 1989, Cuba began to withdraw its troops, and by 1991, the removal was complete.