Castro changes position from Cuban Prime Minister to president of the Council of State and Council of Ministers. The resulting wave of refugees to the United States is known as the Mariel boatlift. U.S. President Ronald Reagan is strongly anti-communist and pledges to fight spread of communism in Central and South America. U.S. government in 1980s later sets up Radio Marti, which broadcasts anti-communist propaganda to the island. Castro pledges Socialism or Death, after which the number of Cubans attempting to flee the island increases vastly.
Several people drown.
Bill Clinton vows to support the Helms-Burton Law, which strengthens the blockade on Cuba by punishing foreign companies that do business with Cuba.