Ramón Sánchez-Parodi Montoto

Ramón Sánchez-Parodi Montoto was born in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, in 1938 and trained as an industrial engineer. His career eventually combined diplomacy, government administration, journalism, and studies of the United States. ¹

He participated in the confidential contacts that preceded the reopening of diplomatic offices. In January 1975, Sánchez-Parodi and Néstor García met American officials at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Sánchez-Parodi explained that he could listen and report to Havana but lacked authority to negotiate. His comments stressed the importance Cuba attached to ending the American embargo. ²

When the countries opened reciprocal interests sections on September 1, 1977, Sánchez-Parodi became the first head of the Cuban office in Washington. He remained until April 1989. ^{3, 1}

He then served as deputy foreign minister until 1994 and ambassador to Brazil from 1994 to 2000. Later responsibilities included the Office of the Martí Program and Cuba’s customs administration. He also wrote about American elections and bilateral relations, including the book Cuba–USA: relaciones en diez tiempos. ^{4, 1}