Relations between the South American states of Cuba and Peru have been troubled since the Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.

Like all other states in the Americas apart from Canada and Mexico, Peru broke off diplomatic relationships with the newly communist Cuba on December 30, 1960.

Tensions were aggravated by the Cold War, with Peru tending to side with the US, while Cuba was a loyal ally of the Soviet Union.

A destabilizing factor specific to the bilateral relationship was the alleged Cuban support for the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, a terrorist group that operated in remote rural areas of Peru.

Cuba then opened the port of Mariel and allowed Cubans who wanted to emigrate to leave by boat, prompting the exodus of approximately 125,000.