Fidel Castro

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was a pivotal figure in Cuban history of the 20th century and possessed considerable political sway. Throughout his varied career, he held positions as Cuba's first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, president, and prime minister.

It was during this time that Cuba was transformed under his Marxist-Leninist doctrine into a one-party communist state.

Career and Early Life (1926-1947)

Castro was born in Birán, Oriente, Cuba, on August 13, 1926. His early years were marked by both privilege and insurrection. He was raised in a wealthy farming family in Spain and, while attending the University of Havana to study law, formed Marxist and anti-imperialist views. His participation in uprisings against right-wing regimes in Colombia and the Dominican Republic prepared the ground for his bold scheme to topple Cuban leader Fulgencio Batista.

Castro was imprisoned as a result of the 1953 unsuccessful raid on Moncada Barracks. Following a brief stay in Mexico, he led the Cuban Revolution from the Sierra Maestra highlands alongside his brother Raúl Castro and the renowned revolutionary Che Guevara. Castro's political ascent began in 1959 when the revolution effectively toppled Batista.

Marxism and Rebellion (1947-1950)

Castro's path toward communism started in 1947 when he enlisted in an attempt to topple Rafael Trujillo's right-wing regime in the Dominican Republic. Castro's affiliation with the cause of the people was strengthened by this experience, notwithstanding its failure. His early Marxist beliefs gained traction when he emerged as a major player in Havana's student demonstrations against social and economic injustice.

Castro became acquainted with the luxurious way of life of the Cuban upper class through his marriage to Mirta Díaz Balart, an affluent family student. But he also underwent a leftward ideological shift during this time. Drawing from the works of Marx, Engels, and Lenin, he understood Cuba's problems as structural problems in a capitalist system. Castro's growing engagement in leftist politics and his affiliation with the 30 September Movement-a group that sought to dismantle violent gangs on campus-coincided with the birth of his son, Fidelito, in 1949.

Political Headship (1959-2008)

Castro's 1959 takeover of political and military authority as prime minister of Cuba signaled the start of a turbulent relationship with the United States. The U.S.-planned 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion attempt to depose Castro was a failure. Castro's allegiance to the Soviet Union led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which turned out to be a crucial turning point in the Cold War.

Under Castro's leadership, Cuba experienced significant changes. Socialist reforms, nationalization of industries, and central economic planning were put into practice. His domestic policies were defined by the repression of dissent, press control, and support for the Soviet Union. Castro backed anti-imperialist movements across the globe by allying with revolutionary regimes in Latin America and sending troops to fight in wars like the Angolan Civil War.

History and Reactions

In 2008, Castro officially concluded his political career by delegating duties to his brother, Raúl Castro. His legacy is still controversial; some hail him as a defender of socialism and anti-imperialism, while others criticize the violations of human rights, the dire economic conditions, and the mass flight of Cubans during his administration. His influence on Cuban history and international geopolitics continues to influence conversations and arguments over the intricacies of political ideology and leadership. On November 25, 2016, Fidel Castro departed from this life, leaving a profound and contentious legacy on the course of Cuba's political