Fidel Castro on Puerto Rico

Fidel Castro maintained a consistent and deeply held position of unequivocal support for the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States, viewing its status as a continuation of colonial subjugation that began after the Spanish-American War. He frequently invoked the historical kinship between Cuba and Puerto Rico, often quoting José Martí that they are "wings of the same bird," to argue that Puerto Rico should have achieved sovereignty alongside Cuba. This commitment was rooted in his ideological anti-imperialism and was viewed by the Cuban government as a matter of non-negotiable principle, regardless of diplomatic consequences with Washington.

This unwavering stance was demonstrated through concrete actions, such as Cuba sponsoring international conferences on Puerto Rican solidarity, even when it risked souring relations with the U.S. government. While Cuban support primarily relied on political and international efforts, Castro's commitment dated back to his university years. Although Cuba would not necessarily copy the exact Cuban model, he believed that as long as a single voice in Puerto Rico desired independence, Cuba had a moral and political duty to defend that idea against U.S. dominance.