Relationship dossier
Cuba
Morocco
Relationship assessment
Diplomatic relations restored, with Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic remaining a major point of friction.
Cuba toward Morocco
-25Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which Morocco regards as a challenge to its claims over Western Sahara, contributed to the rupture of relations. Cuba and Morocco restored diplomatic relations in 2017, though the underlying disagreement remains.
Morocco toward Cuba
+5Morocco severed relations with Cuba amid Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, then restored diplomatic relations in 2017. The restoration was a concrete step toward renewed engagement despite the unresolved Western Sahara dispute.
Overall relationship
-10The relationship has been shaped by the Western Sahara dispute: Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic led to a long rupture, while the 2017 restoration of diplomatic relations renewed formal engagement. The unresolved disagreement continues to constrain the relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic contributed to a prolonged break in relations with Morocco. The two governments restored diplomatic relations in 2017, but the Western Sahara dispute remains a significant source of friction. The relationship combines diplomatic normalization with disagreement over a core Moroccan foreign-policy issue.
Areas of tension
- Cuba’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic conflicts with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara.
Key developments
Morocco and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after a prolonged break.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of practical cooperation following the 2017 restoration is unclear.
- The current scope of Cuba’s support for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is unclear.