Why were US-Cuban relations strained when Kennedy took office?

Answer 1

The Kennedy Administration, particularily Kennedy himself, were obsessed with Cuba and Castro; Attorney General Robert Kennedy authorized multiple attempts to discredit and assassinate Castro. JFK was conspiring with the mafia in an assassination plot againt Castro. Also there was the disastrous Bay of Pigs and Operation Mongoose (Terror attacks by the US on Cuba) that followed. Also there was Kennedy's trade embargo on Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Answer 2

There were a couple of issues. One was the Bay of Pigs invasion, another was the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Bay of Pigs episode was no doubt the most damaging since its intent was to topple the Cuban government.

Answer 3

America was seen to have more control over Cuba, and was taking advantage of them. America owned 80% of all Companies in Cuba while the poor were getting poorer. and the rich were getting richer. When Fidel took over he cut ties with America to please the poorer parts of his country.