Later in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, progressive Cubans were happy to downplay the survival of the Indians since those who promoted , and sought to praise and promote Cuba's Indian heritage, were usually conservative racists who wanted to glorify the Indian past and downgrade the contribution of the black African element in the population. Novelists in the nineteeth century, anxios to preserve Hispanic culture, often sought Indian images for their historical fiction as a counterweight to the arguments of those who exalted Cuba's African heritage.
In the late 19th and 20th centuries, progressive Cubans often overlooked the existence of Indigenous people. This was largely because those promoting Cuba's Indigenous heritage were typically conservative racists, intent on glorifying the Indian past while undermining the significance of the African contributions to the nation. Their perspective created a divide, as various factions competed to highlight different aspects of Cuba's identity.
During this time, novelists focused on preserving Hispanic culture frequently incorporated Indigenous imagery into their historical fiction. This was a strategic move to counter the narratives that emphasized the African heritage of Cuba. Such literary efforts reflected the complexities of national identity during a period of cultural tension, revealing the ongoing struggle between recognizing the diverse roots of Cuban society.
