America imposed a full trade embargo against Cuba 55 years ago, in an attempt to crack Fidel Castro's Communist regime. Antonio José Ponte, an exiled Cuban writer, and Aleida Guevara, the daughter of Che Guevara, reveal how the embargo shaped Havana's revolutionary story.

Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.trib.al/rWl91R7

Fifty-five years ago this week, America's president John F Kennedy signed a full trade embargo against Cuba with the aim of bringing down Fidel Castro's Communist regime.

Kennedy's executive order came into force at midnight on February 7th 1962. The Economist reported that: "Social and economic upheaval in Cuba has meant fewer goods", "Rationing has been in force", and "Dr Castro blames the American economic blockade".

The full embargo had been a long time coming. After Castro seized power three years earlier, the Americans began to target the economy of the new Cuban regime.

Washington's cancellation of Cuban sugar imports was quickly followed by Castro's nationalisation of American-owned oil refineries.

After a failed invasion by Cuban exiles, backed by Kennedy, the young president raised the stakes and imposed a full trade embargo

Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films every day of the working week.

For more from Economist Films visit: http://films.economist.com/
Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk
Like The Economist on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist/
Follow The Economist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeconomist
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeconomist/
Follow us on LINE: http://econ.st/1WXkOo6
Follow us on Medium: https://medium.com/@the_economist