Cuba during World War I

The Republic of Cuba had maintained neutrality during much of World War I until German submarine warfare resumed on February 1, 1917.

With strong ties to its neighbors and put under pressure by New York Times reports of German U-boats resupplying in Cuba, they later followed suit and declared war on April 7.

Because of the total submarine warfare declared by Germany and the continued sinking of ships of different neutral nationalities on the American shores, Brazil and Cuba had sent angry protest to the Germans.

After the declaration of war all German ships within Havana Harbor were seized, and Cuban ports were opened to Allied warships.

The Cuban Red Cross was also reorganized, established operations in Europe and supported the Allied forces on the Western Front.