Cuban Studies Institute

1/30/2020   A publication of the Cuban Studies Institute

Dear Friend: For the past two years the Cuban Studies Institute (CSI) has published “This Day in Cuban History*,” short vignettes in Spanish/English, bringing to your attention important, interesting events and individuals in the history of the island.  We hope this has contributed both to your enjoyment and to learning about Cuban history. We now begin a new series of weekly publications “Cuban Institutions and Groups” highlighting the principal political, economic, social and cultural organizations that developed during Cuba’s colonial and national period. Following is the next issue in this new series. CUBAN INSTITUTIONS AND GROUPS Consulado de Agricultura, Industria y Comercio y Junta de Fomento de La Habana, Real (1794-1894) A government agency for promoting economic development.  The consulado originated in medieval Spain as a guild of merchants in a port city to administer commercial law, particularly in regard to overseas trade.  As Spanish administration was centralized in the late 15th century, the crown took control of appointing its officers.  The consulado of Seville came to play an important role in the commercial exploitation of the Indies, especially after 1784 when its purpose became more administrative than judicial.  Mexico and Lima were the only American cities permitted their own consulados, until the 1790s, when the crown gave way to pressure from local merchants and permitted the creation of additional consulados, in Caracas, Buenos Aires, Guatemala City, and Havana – one of the few instances where Spain allowed power to pass from the crown to that of local business interests.

Continue Reading This is a publication of the Cuban Studies Institute.  Our mailing address is: 1500 South Dixie Highway, Bank of America Bldg., 2nd Floor Coral Gables, FL  33146 Tel: 786-803-8007