Until 1958 Cuba was quite unknown worldwide. The revolution changed that. As a socialist and later communist country, Cuba invested heavily in education and health care. It played an important role in this field for all developing countries in the world. The Flemish universities have been working together with their Cuban counterparts for years. This is usually done via the VLIR - UOS (Flemish Inter-University Council - University Development Cooperation). The detente of the political and economic relations between Cuba and the US in 2015 and the signing of a new agreement between Cuba and the European Union created new and interesting opportunities for Flemish industry. Especially in Mariel's free trade zone.
Cuba supported many countries in Latin America and on the African continent in their struggle for independence. Music lovers all over the world, carry Cuba in their heart as the cradle of the rumba (recognized as immaterial world heritage by Unesco), the cha cha cha, the mambo, the bolero and the son. Flanders mainly knows Cuba as a pleasant and safe tropical holiday destination.