Wayne S. Smith, a distinguished Cuba expert and former State Department official, passed away on June 28 at his home in New Orleans at the age of 91. His daughter, Melinda Smith Ulloa, confirmed the cause was complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Smith dedicated over four decades to fostering U.S.-Cuban relations, despite resigning in 1982 to protest America’s embargo against Cuba. A Foreign Service officer since 1958, Smith’s career was largely centered on Cuba, serving both in Havana and from Washington. He was particularly instrumental during President Jimmy Carter’s administration in efforts to rekindle diplomatic ties.
Following his resignation, Smith continued to advocate against isolating Cuba, leading numerous delegations to the island and writing extensively on the topic. Notably, he penned a memoir, “The Closest of Enemies: A Personal and Diplomatic Account of U.S.-Cuban Relations Since 1957,” and numerous opinion pieces and essays.
Smith originally arrived in Cuba amid the revolution against Fulgencio Batista. Post-revolution, he managed the evacuation of U.S. citizens, including future actress Kathleen Turner. Throughout his career, he opposed the hardline U.S. stance against Cuba, believing in diplomacy over isolation.
Despite facing professional setbacks, including a reassignment to Uganda that prompted his resignation, Smith remained vocal, criticizing U.S. policy as outdated and ineffective. His departure from the State Department did not mark the end of his efforts; he joined academic and policy institutions, including the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Center for International Policy.
Smith’s persistent efforts were partially realized in 2015 when the U.S. reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba. Reflecting on the flag-raising ceremony in Havana, Smith remarked that it marked a significant moment, having witnessed the severing of ties decades earlier.
Survived by his daughter Melinda Ulloa, son Sanford, and two grandchildren, Smith’s legacy endures in the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and Cuba.
Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/06/world/americas/wayne-s-smith-dead.html
Category : Deaths (Obituaries),Smith, Wayne S,Cuba,State Department,Foreign Service (US),United States International Relations,Diplomatic Service, Embassies and Consulates,Castro, Fidel,Embargoes and Sanctions
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