<P> Following the Cuban Revolution of 1959 , bilateral relations deteriorated substantially . In 1961 , the U.S. severed diplomatic ties with Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to topple the Communist regime . Moreover , the U.S. imposed and subsequently tightened a comprehensive set of restrictions and bans vis - à - vis the Cuban regime as retaliation for the nationalization of U.S. corporations ' property by Cuba . Meanwhile , several organizations , including a nearly unanimous United Nations General Assembly , have called for `` an end to the United States ' decades - long economic , commercial and financial embargo against Cuba . '' </P>
when did the us cut off trade with cuba
1961