Elon Musk, the controversial entrepreneur and current head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the administration of Donald Trump, quietly made a trip to Havana in 2013. This visit, linked to a diplomatic mission during Barack Obama's presidency, aimed at negotiating the release of Alan Gross, a U.S. contractor detained in Cuba. Gross's detention was a significant hurdle in the efforts to improve relations between Washington and Havana at the time.
This previously unreported journey was brought to light by journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla last Friday through Café Fuerte. Musk, alongside actor Sean Penn and investor Shervin Pishevar, explored the streets of Cuba's capital, held meetings with officials, and visited the University of the Arts (ISA) under the guise of discussing internet use in the educational sector.
Back in January 2013, Musk was an ardent supporter of the Democratic Party and a notable donor to Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. This past allegiance starkly contrasts with his current stance, as he now backs Donald Trump and voices strong criticism against U.S. government-funded entities like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), labeling them as "criminal organizations."
Musk's visit to Cuba occurred amid high bilateral tensions, with Gross's release being pivotal for the normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations. Although the mission did not yield immediate success, it contributed to the diplomatic "thaw" announced in December 2014. A decade later, Musk's transformation from visionary entrepreneur to influential political figure with conservative leanings is evident.
Since Trump's rise to power, Musk has championed a campaign against public expenditure, advocating for cuts that directly impact international aid programs, including those supporting independent media and civil society organizations in Cuba. His earlier diplomatic engagement in Cuba provides an intriguing glimpse into his trajectory and highlights how his perspective on the U.S. government's role in international affairs has shifted.
Alan Gross was eventually released in 2014. He had arrived in Cuba in 2009 as a contractor aimed at establishing internet access protocols. Accused of undermining "national independence and territorial integrity," Gross spent five years in prison.
In 2019, during Trump's first term, Gross gave an interview to CiberCuba, criticizing the Republican president's approach to Cuba. He argued that the sanctions imposed by Trump's administration were more harmful to the people than the government. Gross, who was imprisoned for attempting to set up communication networks, noted the irony that such activities are now legal. He advocated for strengthening the private sector as crucial for economic progress and dismissed the embargo's effectiveness.
Gross, once held hostage by the regime, maintained a deep affection for the Cuban people. He called for constructive relations between the two nations and warned that there are no longer any "financial angels" willing to subsidize the Cuban government.
Understanding Elon Musk's Diplomatic Involvement in Cuba
Why did Elon Musk travel to Havana in 2013?
Elon Musk visited Havana in 2013 as part of a diplomatic mission under the Obama administration to negotiate the release of Alan Gross, a U.S. contractor detained in Cuba.
Who accompanied Elon Musk on his trip to Cuba?
Elon Musk was accompanied by actor Sean Penn and investor Shervin Pishevar during his visit to Cuba.
What was Alan Gross's role in Cuba, and why was he detained?
Alan Gross was a contractor in Cuba working on establishing internet access protocols. He was detained and accused of actions against national independence and territorial integrity, resulting in a five-year imprisonment.