The world lost a beacon of hope and diplomacy on June 28, when Wayne S. Smith passed away at the age of 91 at his home in New Orleans. A veteran Cuba expert at the State Department, Smith dedicated nearly four decades of his life to rebuilding relations between Washington and Havana, making him a pivotal figure in the history of Cuban-American diplomacy.
Born in Seguin, Texas, in 1932, Smith’s early life was shaped by his time in the Marines during the Korean War and his subsequent career in the State Department. His passion for Cuba and Latin American affairs led him to become America’s man in Havana for over two decades, where he witnessed the revolution against Fulgencio Batista’s government and the rise of Fidel Castro.
Smith was a vocal critic of America’s embargo against Cuba, believing in the power of diplomacy and dialogue over isolation. His relentless advocacy for normalizing relations with Cuba earned him respect and admiration from experts and colleagues alike, such as William LeoGrande, who praised Smith as one of the foremost spokespeople in favor of reconciliation.
After leaving the State Department in protest over America’s Cuba policy in 1982, Smith continued his efforts through writing, public speaking, and leading delegations to the island. His memoir, “The Closest of Enemies,” published in 1987, remains a poignant account of his personal and diplomatic experiences.
Despite the ongoing embargo, Smith’s legacy lives on through the renewed relations between the United States and Cuba in 2015. As the American embassy reopened in Havana, Smith was present to witness the historic flag-raising ceremony, a moment he described as the culmination of a lifelong dedication to bridging the gap between the two nations.
