Wayne S. Smith, a former Cuba expert at the State Department who dedicated nearly four decades of his life to rebuilding relations between Washington and Havana, passed away on June 28 at the age of 91. Smith, who resigned in 1982 in protest against America’s embargo on Cuba, had been a vocal advocate for normalizing relations between the two countries.
During his time at the State Department, Smith was involved in overseeing the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Cuba after the fall of Fulgencio Batista’s government in 1959. He later became a critic of America’s harsh stance towards Cuba, leading to his resignation after sending critical cables to the department in response to the Reagan administration’s policy against the island nation.
After leaving government, Smith continued his efforts through writing opinion pieces, essays, and books that argued for lifting the embargo and promoting dialogue with Cuba. Despite the embargo remaining in place, Smith witnessed the reopening of relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2015, a moment he had long awaited.
Smith, who served in various government roles and as a fellow at think tanks after leaving the State Department, was an advocate for diplomacy and believed in the power of dialogue. Through his extensive career, he remained dedicated to his goal of rebuilding relations between the two countries, a legacy that continues to impact U.S.-Cuba relations today.
Smith’s passing marks the loss of a prominent figure in the field of Cuba-U.S. relations, whose persistent efforts for normalization and dialogue continue to shape the relationship between the two nations.
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