Cuba became formally independent on 20 May 1902 after the end of the U.S. military occupation that followed Spanish rule.
The Republic of Cuba
CubaCaribbean-9:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Spanish
National CurrencyCuban Peso (CUP)
National Day(s)1 January (Triumph of the Revolution)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalHavana
Economic CapitalHavana
Cultural CapitalHavana
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 20 – 24 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportJose Marti International Airport (HAV)
Primary PortPort of Havana (CU HAV)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline3,735 km
Highest PointPico Turquino (1,974 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverLaguna de Leche (largest natural freshwater lake in Cuba)
ClimateTropical
Border Countries
None (island)
0Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Slavery was completely abolished in Cuba in 1886, making it one of the last places in the Americas to end the institution.
The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to nuclear conflict than at any other point during the Cold War.
Cuba’s 1961 National Literacy Campaign significantly reduced adult illiteracy across the country.
In 2015, Cuba became the first country in the world validated by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519, and its historic centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cuba has nine properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including historic cities, cultural landscapes, and national parks.
Vinales Valley is known for its karst limestone formations (mogotes) and traditional tobacco-growing methods practised for several centuries.
Cuban rumba was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
The tradition of Cuban light rum making began in Santiago de Cuba in 1862, and the knowledge of its rum masters was inscribed by UNESCO in 2022.
Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez became the first person of Hispanic heritage to travel into space in 1980.
The bee hummingbird, found only in Cuba, is the world’s smallest bird, with males weighing about 1.95 grams.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | CubaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Dr. Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez
Since October 2019
H.E. Salvador Antonio Valdes Mesa
Since October 2019
H.E. Manuel Marrero Cruz
Since December 2019
H.E. Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla
Since March 2009
H.E. Vladimir Regueiro Ale
Since April 2023
H.E. Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga
Since May 2024
H.E. Joaquin Alonso Vazquez
Since February 2024
H.E. Alvaro Lopez Miera
Since April 2021
Political Summary
Political System
One-Party Socialist Republic
The President is Head of State and the Prime Minister heads the government, while the Communist Party of Cuba is the only legal party and the leading force of society and the state. Legislative power rests with the unicameral National Assembly of People’s Power.
Ruling Party
Communist Party of Cuba (PCC): Far-left (since the 1960s)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Not applicable
Next Presidential Election
Expected in 2028
Next Legislative Election
2028
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
44Organizations
26Member
0Founding Member
4Partner, Observer or Participant
14Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Cuba | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations18 Mar 200224 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Hazza Ahmed Al KaabiUAE Ambassador to Cuba · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Norberto Escalona CarrilloAmbassador of Cuba to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuba Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Cuba | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Signed | Signed on 29 Nov 2023. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Signed | Signed on 29 Nov 2023. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Open Skies Agreement was signed in May 2014. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Cuba | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed AlmheiriMinister of Climate Change and EnvironmentSep2023
- H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al MarriMinister of EconomyNov2022
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Manuel Marrero CruzPrime Minister of CubaFeb2024
- H.E. Miguel Diaz-CanelPresident of CubaNov2023
- H.E. Ricardo CabrisasDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of CubaOct2023
- H.E. Dr. Walter Baluja GarciaFirst Deputy Minister of Higher Education of CubaJun2022
- H.E. Rodrigo Malmierca DiazMinister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of CubaFeb2022
- H.E. Antonio Carricarte CoronaPresident of the Chamber of Commerce of CubaFeb2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-
Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Cuban Companies in the UAE
- -
Major UAE Companies in Cuba
- -
Business Support
UAE-Cuban Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2023, no meeting since.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research