Political Relations of Ottoman Empire-Cuba in the Light of Archival Documents

This study first gives an outline of the political history of cuba from madrid-havana-washington perspective and then conveys historical background of political relations established between ottoman empire and cuba in the second half of xixth century to readers and the sources are supplied mainly throughout the archival documents. despite being a geography distant from ottoman empire, cuba and its surrounding caught attention of turkish authorities; notably turkish embassy officials in madrid and washington, and senior authorities who were sent to the region reported developments/tensions to istanbul as a reflection of multidimensional foreign policy. taking these reports into consideration, turkish authorities needed to authorize people with status of honorary consul general in havana in order to protect interests of ottoman empire and the people. this study presents that cuba and ottoman empire had a long-term history contrary to the known by referring to historical background of political relations between both sides. for this reason, today it is asserted that havana and ankara have a potential to establish stronger relationships in case that they base on engagement strategy (political-economic-cultural etc.).