Flag of cuba Cuba vs Flag of angola Angola

International relations comparison · updated Sep 2026
1.19 / 10
Very bad

The relation between Cuba and Angola is VERY BAD, with an overall score of 1.19 out of 10.

Chance of conflict between both countries: high

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Head to head: who leads each category

Population
Cuba 11.3M
Angola 32.9M Leads
GDP
Cuba $107.4B
Angola $122.2B Leads
Military expenditure
Cuba $128.6M
Angola $922.1M Leads
Global influence rank
Cuba #44 Leads
Angola #92

About this relationship

Cuba and Angola share an unusually close relationship forged through Cuba's large-scale military intervention in the Angolan Civil War, when Havana deployed tens of thousands of troops starting in 1975 to support the ruling MPLA against South African-backed forces.

The Cuban military presence continued for more than a decade, culminating in the battle of Cuito Cuanavale in the late 1980s, an engagement widely credited with contributing to the withdrawal of South African forces from Angola and, indirectly, to Namibia's independence and the eventual end of apartheid in the region.

Beyond the military dimension, Cuba sent thousands of doctors, teachers, and other civilian personnel to Angola over the decades, a form of solidarity assistance that became a hallmark of Cuban foreign policy under Fidel Castro and that continues on a smaller scale today.

Economically, ties remain modest relative to the historical political bond, though Angola's oil wealth and Cuba's ongoing economic difficulties have periodically prompted discussion of expanded cooperation and Angolan support for Cuba.

Overall, the Cuba-Angola relationship is best understood as a legacy partnership rooted in Cold War-era military solidarity and anti-colonial struggle, one that remains a point of pride in both countries' official narratives even as practical cooperation today is far more limited than during the war years.

·
11.3M
Population
32.9MLeads
109.9K km²
Land area
1.2M km²Leads
Havana
Capital
Luanda
Christianity
Main religion
Christianity
80 years
Life expectancy
61 years

Strengths & comparison

Population Angola is 2.9x larger
Land area Angola is 11.35x larger

The position in the international influence ranking of Cuba is 44, while Angola is situated 48 places below in the ranking (position 92). Cuba maintains contact with 68 countries, while Angola maintains contact with 35 countries. Cuba maintains an excellent relation with 9 countries, while in the case of Angola, this figure drops to 2.

About Cuba

Cuba is an island nation located in the Caribbean Sea, just south of the United States. It has a rich history, including being a Spanish colony, and has undergone significant political and economic changes over the course of its existence.

For much of the 20th century, Cuba was ruled by Fidel Castro, who took power in a revolution in 1959. Under Castro, Cuba adopted a communist form of government and formed close ties with the Soviet Union. The country faced economic difficulties and a trade embargo from the United States, which further isolated it from the rest of the world.

In recent years, Cuba has undergone some economic and political reforms, and relations with the United States have improved somewhat. However, the country still faces significant challenges, including a struggling economy, a lack of political freedom, and a lack of access to modern technology.

Geography & terrain

The largest Caribbean island, mostly flat to rolling terrain with the Sierra Maestra mountains rising in the southeast. Climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds, with a hurricane season. Entirely coastline, as an island nation. Its island geography has long made large-scale overland invasion impossible, forcing any approach to come by sea or air, while the mountainous southeast has offered further natural refuge.

About Angola

Angola is a country located in southern Africa. It is bordered by Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north. The capital of Angola is Luanda.

Angola has a long history of political instability and conflict. From 1975 to 2002, the country was embroiled in a civil war that killed an estimated 500,000 people and displaced millions. In 2002, a peace agreement was signed, bringing an end to the fighting and paving the way for the country's first democratic elections in more than 20 years.

Since then, Angola has made significant progress in rebuilding its infrastructure and economy, which had been severely damaged by the war. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil and diamonds, and has become a major oil producer in Africa. However, despite its economic growth, Angola still faces challenges such as high poverty rates and a lack of access to education and healthcare for many of its citizens.

In terms of international relations, Angola is a member of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, and it has strong ties with other African countries as well as with China, Brazil, and Russia. The country has also played a role in regional peacekeeping efforts, including in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sudan.

Geography & terrain

Varied terrain: a narrow coastal plain along the Atlantic rising to an interior plateau and highlands, with tropical forest in the north and drier savanna toward the south. Climate is tropical, moderated by altitude inland. The plateau escarpment and thick vegetation complicate overland advance, while the long coastline is more open to attack from the sea.

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data
Cuba Angola
Government type One-party state Presidential republic
GDP $107.4B $122.2BLeads
GDP per capita $9.6KLeads $3.1K
Military expenditure $128.6M $922.1MLeads
Military expenditure per capita $11 $28Leads
Land military expenditure (estimation) $64.3M $507.1MLeads
Air military expenditure (estimation) $32.2M $230.5MLeads
Naval military expenditure (estimation) $32.2M $184.4MLeads
Nuclear power No No
European Union Not a member Not a member
NATO Not a member Not a member

Strengths & comparison

Military expenditure Angola is 7.17x larger
Land (estimation)
$64.3M$507.1M
Air (estimation)
$32.2M$230.5M
Naval (estimation)
$32.2M$184.4M

The capitals of Cuba and Angola are approximately 10 966 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 6.0 hours between them.

Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Cuba and Angola score a 0/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.

Excellent relation (7+/10) with both countries

China

Very bad relation (3-/10) with both countries

South Africa

Which side is each country closer to?

Map legend
Closer to Cuba Closer to Angola

Comparing Cuba's and Angola's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Cuba scores noticeably higher with: Russia, India, Vietnam, China, Argentina. Angola scores noticeably higher with: United States, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Peru.

The relation between Cuba and Angola hasn't changed recently, and it remains at 1.2.

Score history

Jan 2022: 0.0/10 Feb 2022: 0.8/10 Mar 2022: 1.2/10 May 2022: 1.2/10 Jul 2022: 1.2/10 Sep 2022: 1.2/10 Oct 2022: 1.2/10 Nov 2022: 1.2/10 Dec 2022: 1.2/10 Jan 2023: 1.2/10 Jun 2023: 1.2/10 Oct 2023: 1.2/10 Nov 2023: 1.2/10 Jan 2024: 1.2/10 Feb 2024: 1.2/10 Mar 2024: 1.2/10 May 2024: 1.2/10 Aug 2024: 1.2/10 Apr 2025: 1.2/10 Aug 2025: 1.2/10 Aug 2026: 1.2/10
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
1.2 1.2

Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:

Solo scenario: Cuba vs Angola
Cuba 49.9% Angola 50.1%Winner
Allies scenario: Team Cuba vs Team Angola

In a hypothetical conflict between Cuba and Angola, probably, Cuba won't have any partner.
United States will participate helping Angola.

Cuba 16.1% Angola 83.9%Winner
Map legend
Cuba & allies Angola & allies

Want to build your own teams? Try the War Simulator.

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