Geographical Proximity: Cuba is located just 90 miles from the coast of Florida, making it a strategically important location for the US. Control over Cuba would allow the US to monitor and control maritime activities and potential threats in the region.
Economic Interests: The US had significant economic interests in Cuba before the Cuban Revolution. American businesses had invested heavily in Cuba's sugar, tobacco, and mining industries. The US wanted to maintain these economic interests and prevent other countries from gaining control of them.
Political Influence: The US viewed Cuba as part of its sphere of influence in the Americas, known as the Monroe Doctrine. The US wanted to ensure that Cuba remained aligned with its political interests and did not become a stronghold for rival powers or ideologies, particularly during the Cold War.
Anti-Communism: After the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959, the US became concerned about the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere. Cuba's alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War led the US to see Cuba as a potential threat and a source of ideological subversion in the region.
Protection of American Citizens: Prior to the Cuban Revolution, there was a significant American population living in Cuba, primarily retirees and businesspeople. The US government was concerned about the safety and interests of these American citizens and wanted to maintain influence to protect them.
Migration and Refugees: The US also had an interest in managing the flow of Cuban migrants and refugees to the US, especially after the Cuban Revolution and the economic hardships that followed. Controlling the situation in Cuba could help the US manage migration flows and prevent any disruptions or crises.