El delegado y los cónsules: diplomacia y equilibrio (José Martí en el Oriente cubano, abril-mayo de 1895)

Abstract

In this paper is exposed how José Martí behaved concerning foreign interest (USA, Great Britain, France, Germany) when he disembarked in Cuba at the right beginning of the uprising. Martí explained that the revolution aspired to complete national sovereignty but respected foreigners’ live and ownership. He declared the country open to free world trade, which implies the end of the Spanish monopoly and the impossibility for another one (United States, obviously). Tactically, he neutralized the enemy propaganda. Strategically, he tried to build an equilibrium between foreign states in that region, as a future guarantee for independence, peace and prosperity for the free West Indies, this world crossroads.