ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of Cuban nationality

Okay kiddo, let me tell you a little bit about the history of Cuban nationality.

A long time ago, the island of Cuba was populated by indigenous people called Taínos. But in 1492, a man named Christopher Columbus arrived on the island and claimed it for Spain. Spain controlled Cuba for over 300 years, and during that time, many people came to live on the island - including African slaves who were forced to work on sugar plantations.

In 1898, after a war between Spain and America, Cuba gained independence - which means they were recognized as their own separate country. A man named José Martí is considered a hero for helping to fight for freedom from Spain.

But just because Cuba was its own country didn't mean life was perfect. In 1959, a revolution led by a man named Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government and established a communist system. This meant that the government controlled everything - like schools, jobs, and even the media.

For many years, people who disagreed with the government were not allowed to speak out, and some even had to leave the country. Tensions between Cuba and the United States also grew, with the US setting up an embargo - which means they wouldn't buy or sell things with Cuba.

In recent years, things have started to change. The Cuban government has allowed more freedom for its citizens, and the US has loosened some of the restrictions on trade and travel. But even today, Cuban nationality can be complex - it's a mix of the country's indigenous roots, Spanish heritage, and more recent cultural and political influences.