America was very interested in Cuba because of the crops/resources they grew in their country. Since Cuba is only 90 miles from the United States, the government wanted to make sure that this country would be open to American influence/trade. This resulted in America establishing a trading relationship with Cuba, primarily receiving sugar from this country. However, this relationship would not last forever, as the leader of Cuba who was friendly with the US (Batista) was replaced by Fidel Castro, an anti-American communist.