In early 1962, the relationship between the United States and Cuba had reached a boiling point. With Fidel Castro's government moving increasingly closer to the Soviet Union, the U.S. sought to apply economic pressure to curtail the spread of communism in the region. On February 7, 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced a complete embargo on trade with Cuba, which included the prohibition of all imports and exports between the two nations. This ban represented a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to undermine Castro’s regime, which had nationalized numerous U.S. businesses and confiscated American properties following the revolution in 1959.

The embargo was a landmark moment in U.S.-Cuba relations and was part of a broader strategy to confront communism in Latin America. Prior to the embargo, the U.S. had already imposed various restrictions, but the comprehensive nature of this trade ban was unprecedented. It not only sought to weaken the Cuban economy, which relied heavily on imports, but also aimed to rally other Latin American countries against Castro's influence. The decision to enforce this embargo would later lead to increased tensions, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

The trade embargo affected numerous industries and had significant ramifications for Cuban citizens, as basic goods became scarce. The Cuban government framed the embargo as an act of aggression, using it to rally domestic support against perceived U.S. imperialism. The trade ban endured for decades, becoming a central point of contention in U.S.-Cuba relations and contributing to the isolation of Cuba on the world stage. It also set a precedent for U.S. foreign policy strategies towards other nations perceived as threats, especially during the Cold War era.