I think the unfortunate thing is, every country pretty much chooses one or more major world power to be their friend. If Cuba is not okay with the United States as their ally (and it’s reasonable, because we do some fucked up things to allies) then they’re going to pick something else.
Ukraine was guilty of the same thing. In WW2, they were sandwiched between Soviets and Nazis. In their case, they picked Nazi; but may have been unhappy about either choice.
