Wayne Smith (diplomat)

Government service

In 1949, Smith joined the United States Marine Corps, and served until 1953, including combat in the 1950-1953 Korean War. In 1957, he joined the US State Department, and served in the Soviet Union, Argentina and Cuba. From 1979 to 1982, he was the second Chief of Mission of the US Interests Section in Havana under President Jimmy Carter, where he promoted dialogue with the Cuban regime.

He later became an academic and is currently at Johns Hopkins University. He is one of the major skeptics about the US embargo against Cuba. He has been involved with the Center for International Policy.