The election of John F. Kennedy generated excitement in Latin America and among U.S. Latinos partly because he was the first Catholic president. Over the next two years, Kennedy built coalitions and worked to mend sour relationships with several Latin American countries.
Through the lens: Ahead of the 60th anniversary of his assassination, Axios Latino examined Kennedy’s legacy with U.S. Latinos and in Latin America. Here’s a glimpse.
Then-Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy poses with Dr. Hector P. Garcia and other Mexican American leaders from “Viva Kennedy” clubs. The clubs helped Kennedy win 85% to 90% of the national Latino vote in the 1960 presidential election. Photo: Dr. Hector P. Garcia Papers, Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
President Kennedy receives the flag of the 2506th Cuban Invasion Brigade during a presentation ceremony at the Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, Florida, on Dec. 29, 1962. The Brigade was comprised of Cuban exiles who participated in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961 aimed at toppling Fidel Castro. Photo: Cecil Stoughton, White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
A huge crowd gathers on Calle Fortaleza in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to cheer for Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arriving from San Juan Airport, on Dec. 15, 1961. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
President John F. Kennedy waves to a crowd while on a visit to Venezuela, Dec. 16, 1961. Photo: Corbis via Getty Images
President Kennedy and the First Lady walk toward the Presidential limousine following Mass at the BasÃlica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe) in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
A group of Cuban refugees in Manhattan watch President Kennedy delivering a speech on television during the Cuban Missile Crisis with the Soviet Union on Oct. 22, 1962. Photo: Bettmann/Contributor
President Kennedy attends a surprise party thrown by members of the White House staff for his 46th birthday on May 29, 1963. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s personal assistant, the Dominican Republic-born Providencia “Provi” Paredes, stands at right. Paredes is believed to be the first Latino aide in the White House. Photo: Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy smiles at the crowd in Houston as the president stands beside her on Nov. 21, 1963. Mrs. Kennedy amused the audience of Mexican American civil rights leaders by speaking Spanish. The next day the president will be killed in Dallas. Photo: Bettmann/Contributor
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