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| {{Infobox President | |||
| | name=Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz | |||
| | image=Fidel Castro5 cropped.JPG | |||
| | order= ] of the ] | |||
| | term_start=], ] | |||
| | term_end= | |||
| | vicepresident=] | |||
| | predecessor= ] | |||
| | successor= | |||
| | birth_date=], ] | |||
| | birth_place=], ], ] | |||
| | death_date= | |||
| | death_place= | |||
| | spouse=(1) ] (divorced 1955)<br>(2) ] | |||
| | party=] | |||
| | order2=] | |||
| | term_start2=] ] | |||
| | term_end2=present | |||
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| }} | |||
| '''Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz''' (born ], ]) is the current ]. He held the title of ] from 1959 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/16/newsid_2544000/2544431.stm |title=1959: Castro sworn in as Cuban PM |publisher= BBC News |accessdate=2006-06-06 }}</ref>, after commanding the ] that overthrew ], until 1976 when he became president of the ] as well as the ]. Castro became first secretary of the ] in 1965, and led the transformation of Cuba into a ] ]. As president he also holds the supreme military rank of '']'' in the ]. On ] ], Castro temporarily ] to his brother ] to recover from intestinal surgery. | |||
| Castro first attracted attention in Cuban political life through his ] critiques of Batista and ] corporate and political influence in Cuba. He gained an ardent, but limited, following and also drew the attention of the authorities.<ref>{{cite book | last =DePalma | first =Anthony | year = 2006 | month = | url = | title =The Man Who Invented Fidel | publisher =Public Affairs}}</ref> He eventually led the failed 1953 attack on the ], after which he was captured, tried, incarcerated and later released. He then travelled to Mexico<ref>{{cite web | last =Bockman | first =Larry James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month =April 1 | url =http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title =The Spirit Of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise To Power, 1953 - 1959 | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = | language = | accessdate =2006-06-13 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first= Julia E. | last= Sweig | authorlink= | coauthors= | year= 2002 | title= Inside the Cuban Revolution | edition= | publisher= Harvard University Press | location= | id=0-674-00848-0 }}</ref> to organize and train for the ] invasion of Cuba that took place in December 1956. Since his assumption of power in 1959 he has evoked both praise and condemnation (at home and internationally). | |||
| Outside of Cuba, Castro has been defined by his relationship with both the ] and with the former ]. Ever since the failed ] of Cuba in 1961 by the ], the Castro led government has had an openly antagonistic relationship with the US, and a simultaneous closeness with the Soviet bloc. This was true until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, after which his priorities shifted from supporting foreign interventions to partnering with ] socialist figures such as ] in ] and ] in ]. | |||
| Domestically, Fidel Castro has overseen the implementation of various economic policies which saw the rapid centralization of Cuba's economy - ], ] of agriculture, and the ] of leading ]. The expansion of ] and ] has been a cornerstone of Castro's domestic social agenda. Some credit these policies for Cuba's relatively high ]. <ref> {{cite web | last = | first = | date = | year = 2003 | month = | url = http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_hum_dev_ind-economy-human-development-index | title = Human Development Reports | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = United Nations, NationMaster.com | accessdate = 2006-06-13 }} </ref> Others see Castro and his policies as being responsible for Cuba's general economic depredation, and harshly criticize him for the criminalization of political dissent and free speech. | |||
| ==Childhood and education== | |||
| ], ].]] | |||
| Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born on a sugar plantation in Birán, near Mayarí, in the modern-day province of ] – then a part of the now-defunct Oriente province. He was the third child born to ], a Spanish immigrant who became relatively prosperous through hard work in the sugar industry and shrewd investments. His mother, Lina Ruz González, was a household servant.<ref> {{cite web | last = Bockman | first = Larry James| authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month = | url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title = The Spirit of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise to Power, 1953-1959 | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Marine Corp Command and Staff College | accessdate = 2006-05-13}} </ref> | |||
| Castro has two brothers: ] and ], and three sisters: Angela, ] and Emma. | |||
| Fidel was not baptized until he was eight, also very uncommon, bringing embarrassment and ridicule from other children<ref name=Raffy>Raffy, Serge. 2004 Castro el Desleal. Santillana Ediciones Generales, S.L. Madrid. ISBN 8403095082</ref><ref name=Fuentes>Fuentes, Norberto 2005 La Autobiografia de Fidel Castro. Destino Ediciones. ISBN 9707490012</ref>. Ángel Castro finally dissolved his first marriage when Fidel was 15 and married Fidel’s mother. Castro was formally recognized by his father when he was 17, when his last name was legally changed to Castro from Rúz, his mother’s maiden name.<ref name=Raffy/><ref name=Fuentes/> At the same time, Fidel changed his middle name to “Alejandro” (]) after reading about the Greek warrior in school. | |||
| Although accounts of his education differ, most sources agree that he was an intellectually gifted student, more interested in sports than in academics, and spent many years in private Catholic boarding schools, finishing high school at Belen, a ] school in Havana in 1945. <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.history.ca/content/ContentDetail.aspx?ContentId=41 | title = Fidel Castro: From Student to Revolutionary | work = ] | publisher = ] Inc. | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| In late 1945, he entered law school at the ]. | |||
| ==Political beginnings== | |||
| Castro became immediately fascinated by the politics on campus at the University of Havana. The campus atmosphere during that volatile period in Cuba's history was so aggressive that organized political gangs condoning violence had become an important tool for those students aspiring to be successful leaders. Politics centered around these political gangs and Castro participated in their often violent confrontations. <ref>{{cite book | last = Bourne | first = Peter G. | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1986 | title = Fidel: A Biography of Fidel Castro | publisher = Dodd Mead | location = | id = ISBN 0396085180 }}</ref> | |||
| In 1947, growing increasingly passionate about social justice lacking under Cuba's current system, Castro joined the Partido Ortodoxos which had been newly formed by ]. A charismatic and emotional figure, Chibás was running for president against the incumbent ] who had allowed rampant corruption to flourish during his term. The Partido Ortodoxos publicly exposed corruption and demanded government and social reform. It aimed to instill a strong sense of national identity among Cubans, establish Cuban economic independence and freedom from the United States, and dismantle the power of the elite over Cuban politics. Though Chibás lost the election, Castro, considering Chibás his mentor, remained committed to his cause, working fervently on his behalf. In 1951, while running for president again, Chibás shot himself in the stomach during a radio broadcast. Castro was present and accompanied him to the hospital where he died.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | date = | url = http://www.history.ca/content/ContentDetail.aspx?ContentId=41 | title = Fidel Castro: From Student to Revolutionary | format = | work = ] | publisher = ] Inc. | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Bogotazo=== | |||
| {{main|Bogotazo}} | |||
| Fidel Castro's role in this incident has been dogged by speculation and controversy but the following account seems to be generally agreed upon. In 1948 Castro traveled to ] in ] for a political conference of Latin American students that coincided with the ninth meeting of the ] Conference. The students had planned to use this opportunity to distribute pamphlets protesting United States dominance of the Western Hemisphere and to foment discontent. A few days after the conference began, the populist ] leader ] was assassinated, triggering massive riots in the streets in which many (mostly poor workers) were injured or killed. Rioting and looting spread to other cities in Colombia, beginning an era of turbulence that became known as ]. The students were caught up in the violence and chaos rocking the city, picking up rifles and roaming the streets distributing anti-United States material and stirring a revolt. When Castro was pursued by the Colombian authorities for his role in the riots, he took refuge in the Cuban Embassy and was flown back to Havana. | |||
| <ref>{{cite web | last = Castro | first = Fidel | date = ] | url = http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/cb/cuba/castro/1982/19820411 | title = Fidel Castro reveals role in 9 April 1948 Colombian uprising | work = Bogota el Siglo | publisher = | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | last = Suchlicki | first = James | date = February 2003 | url = http://www.cubacenter.org/media/news_articles/fidel_us.php3 | title = Fidel Castro on the United States - Forward | work = | publisher = Center for a Free Cuba | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> It seems clear that experiencing the power of popular insurrection had an effect on Castro and influenced his subsequent political thinking. | |||
| Castro returned to Cuba and married ], a student from a wealthy Cuban family where he was exposed to the lifestyle of the Cuban elite. In 1950 he graduated from law school with a Doctor of Laws degree and began practicing law in a small partnership in Havana, mostly representing the poor and underprivileged. By now he had become well known for his passionately ]ic views and his intense opposition to the influence of the United States on Cuban internal affairs. Increasingly interested in a career in politics, Castro had become a candidate for a seat in the Cuban ] when General ] led a ] in 1952, successfully overthrowing the government of President ] and canceling the election. | |||
| Batista established himself as ] leader with the support of establishment elements of Cuban society and powerful Cuban agencies. His regime was formally recognized by the United States, buttressing his power. These events effectively ended Castro's chances of pursuing a legitimate political career in Cuba. | |||
| Frustrated, Castro broke away from the Partido Ortodoxo and marshaled legal arguments based on the Constitution of 1940 to formally charge Batista with violating the ]. His petition was denied by the Court of Constitutional Guarantees and he was not allowed a hearing. This experience formed the foundation for Castro's opposition to the Batista regime and convinced him that revolution was the only way to depose Batista.<ref> {{cite book | first= Jules | last= Duboise | authorlink= | coauthors= | year= 1959 | title= Fidel Castro: Rebel-Liberator or Dictator? | edition= | publisher= Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc | location= Indianapolis | id= }} </ref> | |||
| ===Attack on Moncada Barracks=== | |||
| {{main|Moncada Barracks}} | |||
| As discontent over the Batista coup grew, Castro abandoned his law practice and formed an underground organization of supporters, including his brother, ], and actively plotted to overthrow Batista. They collected guns and ammunition and finalized their plans for an armed attack on ], Batista's largest garrison outside ]. On the 26th of July, 1953, they attacked ]. The Céspedes garrison in Bayamo was also attacked as a diversion.<ref>{{cite web | last = Bockman | first = Larry James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month = | url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title = The Spirit of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise to Power, 1953-1959 | format = | work = | pages =| publisher = Marine Corp Command and Staff College | accessdate = 2006-05-13}}</ref> The attack proved disastrous and more than sixty of the one-hundred and thirty-five ]s involved were killed. | |||
| Castro and other surviving members of his group managed to escape to a part of the rugged ]<ref>{{cite web | last = Sierra | first = J. A. | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/maestra.htm | title = The Sierra Maestra | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }} </ref> mountains east of Santiago where they were eventually discovered and captured. Although there is disagreement over why Castro and his brother, ], were not executed on capture as many of their fellow militants were, there is evidence that an officer recognized Castro from his university days and treated the captured rebels compassionately, despite the unofficial order to have the leader executed.<ref>{{cite web | last = Bockman | first = Larry James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month = | url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title = The Spirit of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise to Power, 1953-1959 | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Marine Corp Command and Staff College | accessdate = 2006-05-13}}</ref> | |||
| Castro was tried in the fall of 1953 and sentenced up to fifteen years in prison.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.biologydaily.com/biology/Fidel_Castro#Cuban_Missile_Crisis | title = Fidel Castro | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Biological Daily | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-06 | accessyear = }}</ref> During his trial Castro delivered his famous defense speech ''History Will Absolve Me'' <ref>{{cite web | last = Tabío | first = Pedro Álvarez | date = 1975 | year = | month = | url = http://www.marxists.org/history/cuba/archive/castro/1953/10/16.htm | title = History Will Absolve Me | work = | publisher = Editorial de Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, Cuba | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref>, upholding his rebellious actions and boldly declaring his political views: | |||
| {{cquote|''I warn you, I am just beginning! If there is in your hearts a vestige of love for your country, love for humanity, love for justice, listen carefully... I know that the regime will try to suppress the truth by all possible means; I know that there will be a conspiracy to bury me in oblivion. But my voice will not be stifled – it will rise from my breast even when I feel most alone, and my heart will give it all the fire that callous cowards deny it... Condemn me. It does not matter. History will absolve me.''}} | |||
| While he was being held at the prison for political activists on ], he continued to plot Batista's overthrow, planning upon release to reorganize and train in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web | last =Bockman | first =Larry James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month =April 1 | url =http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title =The Spirit Of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise To Power, 1953 - 1959 | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = | language = | accessdate =2006-06-13 }}</ref> After having served less than two years, he was released in May 1955 due to a general ] from Batista who was under political pressure, and went as planned to ]. <ref>{{cite book | first= Julia E. | last= Sweig | authorlink= | coauthors= | year= 2002 | title= Inside the Cuban Revolution | edition= | publisher= Harvard University Press | location= | id=0-674-00848-0 }}</ref> | |||
| ===26th of July Movement=== | |||
| {{main|26th of July Movement}} | |||
| Once in Mexico, Castro reunited with other Cuban exiles and founded the ], named after the date of the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks. The goal remained the overthrow of ]. Castro had learned from the Moncada experience that new tactics were needed if Batista's forces were to be defeated. This time the plan was to use underground guerrilla tactics, at that time a form of combat unknown in Latin America.<ref>{{cite web | last = Bockman | first = Larry James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1984 | month = | url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1984/BLJ.htm | title = The Spirit of Moncada: Fidel Castro's Rise to Power, 1953-1959 | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Marine Corp Command and Staff College | accessdate = 2006-05-13 }} </ref> | |||
| In Mexico Castro met ], a theoretician of guerrilla warfare. Guevara joined the group of rebels and became an important force in shaping Castro's evolving political beliefs. Guevara's observations of the misery of the poor in Latin America had already convinced him that the only solution lay in violent revolution. | |||
| Since regular contacts with a KGB agent named ] in ] had not resulted in the hoped for weapon supply, <ref>{{cite book | last = Andrew | first = Christopher | coauthors = Gordievsky, Oleg | year = 1991 | title = Instructions from the Centre: Top Secret Files from the KGB's Foreign Operations | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton General Division | location = | id = ISBN 0340566507}}</ref> they decided to go to the ] to gather personnel and funds from Cubans living there, including ], the elected Cuban president deposed by Batista in 1952. Back in Mexico, the group trained under a ] Veteran, Cuban born ] <ref>{{cite web | last = Tabío | first = Pedro Álvarez | date = 1975 | year = | month = | url = http://www.marxists.org/history/cuba/archive/castro/1953/10/16.htm | title = History Will Absolve Me | work = | publisher = Editorial de Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, Cuba | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> who had fled to Mexico after ]'s victory in ]. On ] ], Castro and his group of 82 exiles returned to Cuba for the purpose of starting a rebellion, sailing from ] on the now famous yacht ''].''<ref>{{cite web | last = Sierra | first = J. A. | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/granma.htm | title = The Landing of the Granma | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| The rebels landed in ] near the eastern city of ] on ], ]. In short order most of Castro's men were killed, dispersed, or taken prisoner by Batista's men.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sierra | first = Jerry A. | date = | year = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/granma.htm | title = Cuban History - The Landing of the Granma | work = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> While the exact number is in dispute, it is agreed that no more than twenty of the original eighty-two men survived the bloody encounters with the Cuban army and succeeded in fleeing to the ] mountains. <ref>{{cite book | last = Thomas | first = Hugh | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1998 | title = Cuba or The Pursuit of Freedom (Updated Edition) | publisher = Da Capo Press | location = New York | id = ISBN 0-306-80827-7}}</ref> The survivors, who were undoubtedly aided by people in the countryside, included ], ], and ]. They regrouped in the ] in Oriente province and organized a column under Castro's command. | |||
| From their retreat in the ] mountains, the 26th of July Movement waged a guerrilla war against the Batista government. In the cities and major towns also, resistance groups were organizing until underground groups were everywhere. The strongest was in Santiago formed by ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Cannon | first = Terrance | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 1981 | title = Revolutionary Cuba | publisher = Thomas Y. Crowell | location = New York | id = }} </ref> <ref> {{cite web | last = Cannon | first = Terrance | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1981 | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/pais.htm | title = Frank País and the Underground Movement in the cities | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| In the summer of 1955, País’ organization merged with the July 26 Movement of Fidel. As Castro's movement gained popular support in the cities and countryside, it grew to over eight hundred men. In mid-1957 Castro gave ] command of a second column. A ], ] from the '']'', came to interview him in the Sierra Maestra, attracting interest to Castro's cause in the United States. The ''NYTimes'' front page stories by Matthews presented Castro as a romantic and appealing revolutionary, bearded and dressed in rumpled fatiques.<ref>{{cite web | last = Alter | first = James | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2006 | month = April | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/21/arts/idbriefs22d.php | title = Review: The Man Who Invented Fidel | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = The International Herald Tribune | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-14 | accessyear = }} </ref> <ref>{{cite web | last = De Palma | first = Anthony | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/havana/Fidel-1.htm | title = Book Excerpt:The Man Who Invented Fidel: Castro, Cuba, and Herbert L. Matthews of the New York Times | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Castro and Matthews were followed by the TV crew of Andrew Saint George, said to be a ] contact person.<ref>{{cite web | last = St George | first = Andrew | date = ] | url = http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKstgeorge.htm | title = Biography: Andrew St George | publisher = Spartacus Educational | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> Through television, Castro's rudimentary command of the ] and charismatic presence enabled him to appeal directly to a US audience. | |||
| ===Operation Verano=== | |||
| {{main|Operation Verano}} | |||
| ]In May of 1958 Batista launched '']'' aiming to crush Castro and other anti-government groups. It was called "la Ofensiva" by the rebels (Alarcón Ramírez,1997). Although on paper heavily outnumbered, Castro's guerrilla forces scored a series of victories, largely aided by mass desertions from Batista's army of poorly trained and uncommitted young conscripts. During the ], Castro's forces defeated an entire battalion. While pro-Castro Cuban sources later emphasized the role of Castro's ] forces in these battles, other groups and leaders were involved, such as ] (poorly-armed irregulars). During the '']'', Castro's small army came close to defeat but he managed to pull his troops out by opening up negotiations with General Cantillo while secretly slipping his soldiers out of a trap. Castro later had Cantillo imprisoned and shot. | |||
| When ''Operation Verano'' ended, Castro ordered three columns commanded by Guevara, Jaime Vega and ] to invade central Cuba where they were strongly supported by rebellious elements who had long been operating in the area. One of Castro's columns moved out onto the Cauto Plains. Here they were supported by ], ] and others to the eastern most part of the province. On the plains Castro's forces first surrounded the town of Guisa in ] and drove out their enemies, then proceeded to take most of the towns that were taken by ] in the ]-] ]. | |||
| ===Battle of Yaguajay=== | |||
| {{main|Battle of Yaguajay}} | |||
| In December 1958, the columns of ] and ] joined with other anti-Batista forces already in the guerrilla stronghold in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Although they were greatly outnumbered by Batista's forces, they enjoyed enormous popular support. They succeeded in occupying several towns, and then began preparations for an attack on ] the provincial capital of Las Villas. The rebel guerrillas, led by Fidel Castro, launched a fierce attack on the Cuban army surrounding Santa Clara, and a vicious house-to-house battle ensued. The capture of Las Villas was a key step before the advance on the capital of Havana.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1958 | month = December | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/30/newsid_3332000/3332479.stm | title = 1958: Castro's rebels edge closer to capital | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Guevara's column derailed an armored train which Batista had sent to aid his troops in the city while Cienfuegos won the ]. Defeated on all sides, Batista's forces crumbled. The provincial capital was captured after less than a day of fighting on December 31, 1958. | |||
| With the loss of Santa Clara and expecting the betrayal of his own army, Batista and ] ] fled Cuba in the early hours of ], ], initially to the ] and then to ]'s ]. He left behind a junta headed by Gen. ], recently the commander in Oriente province, the center of the Castro revolt. The junta immediately selected Dr. ], the oldest judge of the ], as provisional President of Cuba as specified in the Constitution of ]. Castro refused to accept the selection of Justice Piedra as provisional President and The Supreme Court refused to administer the oath of office to the Justice.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink =| coauthors = | date = | year = 1959 | month = January 2 | url = http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php?secc=5&cont=stories/num8/3cHnyt59.htm | title = How the NYT presented day-one of the Cuban Revolution | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = CubaNow.net | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| The rebel forces of Fidel Castro moved swiftly to seize power throughout the island.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1959 | month = January 2 | url = http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php?secc=5&cont=stories/num8/3cHnyt59.htm | title = How the NYT presented day-one of the Cuban Revolution | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = CubaNow.net | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> At the age of 32, Castro had successfully masterminded a classic guerrilla campaign from his headquarters in the Sierra Maestra and ousted Batista. | |||
| ===Assumption of power=== | |||
| On ], ], Castro's army, having defeated the American-backed Batista government, rolled victoriously into ].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2000 | month = October | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/244974.stm | title = Castro: The Great Survivor | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> As news of fall of the government spread through Havana, '']'' | |||
| described the scene as one of jubilant crowds pouring into the streets and automobile horns honking. The black and red flag of the 26th of July Movement waved on automobiles and buildings. The atmosphere was chaotic.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1959 | month = January 2 | url = http://www.cubanow.net/global/loader.php?secc=5&cont=stories/num8/3cHnyt59.htm | title = How the NYT presented day-one of the Cuban Revolution | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = CubaNow.net | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Castro called a general strike in protest of the Piedra regime. He demanded that Dr. Urrutia, former judge of the Urgency Court of Santiago de Cuba, be installed as the provisional President instead. The Cane Planters Association of Cuba, speaking on behalf of the island's crucial sugar industry, issued a statement of support for Castro and his movement.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.biologydaily.com/biology/Fidel_Castro#Cuban_Missile_Crisis | title = Fidel Castro| format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Biological Daily | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-06 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Law ] ] created a new government with himself as ] and ] as president on ]. The United States officially recognized the new government two days later.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/bayofpigs/chron.html | title = Chronology | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = The National Security Archive | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref> Castro himself arrived in Havana to cheering mobs and assumed the post of ] of the Armed Forces on ]. | |||
| In February Miró unexpectedly resigned and on February 16, 1959, Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1958 | month = February | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/16/newsid_2544000/2544431.stm | title = 1959: Castro sworn in as Cuban PM | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-13 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Soon friction with the US developed as the new government began expropriating property owned by major U.S. corporations (United Fruit in particular) and planned to base the compensation on the artificially low property valuations that the companies themselves had kept low so their taxes would be negligible.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.biologydaily.com/biology/Fidel_Castro#Cuban_Missile_Crisis | title = Fidel Castro | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Biological Daily | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-06 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Between April 15th and 26th, Castro and a delegation of industrial and international representatives visited the U.S. as guests of the Press Club. This visit was perceived by many as a charm offensive on the part of Castro and his recently initiated government, the fact that Castro hired one of the best ] firms in the United States adds to that conclusion. Castro answered impertinent questions jokingly, ate hotdogs and hamburgers. His rumpled fatigues and scruffy beard made him seem an authentic hero.<ref>{{cite web | last = Franqui | first = Carlos | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/franqui3.htm | title = Fidel Castro's Trip to the United States | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyof cuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> He was refused a meeting with President Eisenhower. Rebuffed, he soon joined forces with the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = October | month = 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/244974.stm | title = Castro: The great survivor | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| In the fourth month of his prime ministership, on ], Castro signed the ], which expropriated over 1,000 acres of farmlands and forbade foreign land ownership.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sierra | first = J.A. | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/time/timetbl4.htm | title = Timetable History of Cuba - After The Revolution | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = historyof cuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Years in power== | |||
| In February 1960 Cuba signed an agreement to buy oil from the USSR. When the US-owned refineries in Cuba refused to process the oil, they were expropriated, and the United States broke off diplomatic relations with the Castro government soon afterward. To the concern of the Eisenhower administration, Cuba began to establish closer ties with the Soviet Union. A variety of pacts were signed between Castro and ] ], allowing Cuba to receive large amounts of economic and military aid from them. | |||
| In June 1960, Eisenhower reduced Cuba's sugar import quota by 7,000,000 tons, and in response, Cuba ] some $850 million worth of US property and businesses. The revolutionary government grabbed control of the nation by nationalizing industry, expropriating property owned by Cubans and non-Cubans alike, collectivizing ], and enacting policies which it claimed would benefit the population. While popular among the poor, these policies alienated many former supporters of the revolution among the Cuban middle and upper-classes. Over one million Cubans later migrated to the US, forming a vocal anti-Castro community in ]. (See ].) | |||
| President Dwight Eisenhower broke off ties on ], 1961, saying Fidel Castro had provoked him once too often.<ref>{{cite web | last = Sequera | first = Vivian | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = January 5 | url = http://www.fiu.edu/~fcf/rcqastr10501.html | title = Raul Castro To U.S.: Normalize Ties | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Associated Press | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-17 | accessyear = }}</ref> As early as July 1959 Castro's intelligence chief Ramiro Valdés contacted the KGB in Mexico City. <ref>{{cite book | last = Andrew | first = Christopher | coauthors = Gordievsky, Oleg | year = 1991 | title = Instructions from the Centre: Top Secret Files from the KGB's Foreign Operations | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton General Division | location = | id = ISBN 0340566507}}</ref> Subsequently, the USSR sent over one hundred mostly Spanish speaking advisors, including ], to organize the ]. | |||
| By 1961 the US Government was engaged in a semi-secret campaign to remove Castro from power. The unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 – an attempt to topple Castro by supporting an armed force of Cuban exiles to retake the island – is one of the most well-known examples of this campaign. | |||
| ===Bay of Pigs=== | |||
| {{main|Bay of Pigs Invasion}} | |||
| A timeline released by the National Security Archives shows the US began planning to overthrow the government of Cuba in October, 1959.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/bayofpigs/chron.html | title = Bay of Pigs Chronology | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = The National Security Archives | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-18 | accessyear = }}</ref> On April 17, 1961, approximately 1,400 members of a CIA-trained Cuban exile force landed at the Bay of Pigs, while the United States denied any involvement. | |||
| Documents released by the National Security Archive show that the CIA expected the Cuban people to welcome a U.S.-sponsored invasion, spontaneously rising up against the Castro regime. It expected Cuban military and police forces to refuse to fight against the CIA's 1400-man mercenary invasion force.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = March 23 | url = http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/bayofpigs/press3.html | title = Bay of Pigs documents show CIA expected uprising against Castro, or military support | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = The National Security Archive | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-18 | |||
| | accessyear = }}</ref> President Kennedy had withdrawn support for the invasion at the last minute by canceling several bombing sorties that could have crippled the entire Cuban Air Force.<ref>{{cite web | last = Fontova | first = Humberto | date = ] | url = http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/4/29/34913.shtml | title = The Bay of Pigs – The Truth | publisher = newsmax.com | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> The brief military invasion ended in total failure and quickly became a foreign policy debacle for Kennedy. He had approved the plan just three months into his presidency. <ref>{{cite web | last = Elliston | first = Jon | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = | month = | url = http://www.parascope.com/articles/1296/bayofpigs.htm | title = The Bay of Pigs Invasion | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = parascope.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-18 | accessyear = | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Castro had repulsed the invaders, killing many and capturing a thousand. On May 1, 1961, as hundreds of thousands celebrating May Day roared their approval, Castro announced that Cuba was a socialist nation and abolished elections.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1961 | month = May 1 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/1/newsid_2479000/2479867.stm | title = Victorious Castro bans elections | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | |||
| | accessyear = }}</ref> In a nationally broadcast speech on ], ], Castro declared that he was a ] and that Cuba was adopting ]. On ], ], the US imposed an ]. This embargo was broadened during 1962 and 1963, including a general travel ban for American tourists. <ref>{{cite web | last = Sierra | first = J.A. | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1961 | month = May 1 | url = http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/embargo.htm | title = Economic Embargo Timeline | work = | pages = | publisher = historyofcuba.com | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-28 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Many theories are offered for the failure of the operation. Some argue that Kennedy's last minute decision to withdraw air support caused the invasion to fail, though this has been more recently discarded. {{citationneeded}} The likely cause of the failure was that the Americans misjudged Cuban support for Castro. {{citationneeded}} They had believed the testimonies of the Cuban exiles, who told them that Castro was not well supported by the Cuban people, when in fact, Castro enjoyed wide support at this time. The idea that Cubans would rise up against Castro, was simply a misconception on the part of the Eisenhower, and then Kennedy administrations. As well, the CIA-trained force of 1,400 armed only with light-arms, faced a Cuban force of tens of thousand armed with tanks, and artillery. {{citationneeded}} In addition, the covert placement of dozens of Cuban intelligence officials in the invasion force gave the Cuban government detailed information on the operation. <ref>{{cite book | last = Andrew | first = Christopher | authorlink = | coauthors = Vasili Mitrokhin | date = 20 | year = 2005 | month = September | url = | title = The World Was Going Our Way: The KGB and the Battle for the Third World | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Basic Books | language = English | accessdate = | accessyear = }} </ref> | |||
| ===Cuban Missile Crisis=== | |||
| {{main|Cuban Missile Crisis}} | |||
| Tensions between Castro and US heightened during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, which nearly brought the US and the USSR to direct confrontation. Khrushchev conceived the idea of placing missiles in Cuba as a deterrent to a US invasion and justified the move in response to US missile deployment in Turkey. After consultations with his military advisors, he met with a Cuban delegation led by Raúl Castro in July in order to work out the specifics. It was agreed to deploy Soviet ] ]s on Cuban soil; however, American ] reconnaissance discovered the construction of the missile installations on ], ] before the weapons had actually been deployed. The US government viewed the installation of Soviet nuclear weapons 90 miles south of ] as an aggressive act and a threat to US security. As a result, the US publicly announced its discovery on ], ], and implemented a ] around Cuba that would actively intercept and search any vessels heading for the island. ], who would become General in KGB Intelligence Directorate, <ref>{{cite paper |author= |date= 1995 -1998 |url= http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/cats/coldwar/xc70-28-.htm |title= The Cold War, television documentary archive |publisher= King's College London, Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives |version= | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> and Soviet KGB deputy station chief in Warsaw, was the translator Castro used for contact with the Russians. | |||
| In a personal letter to Khrushchev dated ], ], Castro urged Khrushchev to launch a nuclear first strike against the United States if Cuba were invaded, but Khrushchev rejected any first strike response. <ref>{{cite web | last = Khrushchev | first = Nikita Sergeyevich | date = ] | url = http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/cuba_mis_cri/621030%20Letter%20to%20Castro.pdf | title = Letter to Castro | format = PDF | publisher = The George Washington University | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> Soviet field commanders in Cuba were, however, authorized to use ] if attacked by the United States. Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a US commitment not to invade Cuba and an understanding that the US would remove American ]s targeting the ] from ] and ], a measure that the US implemented a few months later. The missile swap was never publicized because the Kennedy Administration demanded secrecy in order to preserve NATO relations and protect Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections. | |||
| ===Embargo=== | |||
| {{main|United States embargo against Cuba}} | |||
| {{cleanup-rewrite}} | |||
| After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba was left bankrupt and isolated by the disintegration of the Soviet bloc. Eighty-five percent of its markets had disappeared, along with the subsidies and trade agreements that had supported its economy. The situation became desperate. Daily life was a struggle with extended gas and water outages, severe power shortages, and dwindling food supplies available for rationing.<ref>{{cite web | last = Brandford| first = Becky| authorlink =| coauthors =| date = | year = 2003| month = June 8| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2961320.stm| title = Cuba's hardships fuel discontent| format =| work =| pages =| publisher = BBC News| language =| accessdate = 2006-05-20| accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Although Castro rails against the US embargo against Cuba, he has used it to unite the Cuban people for over 40 years.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = April 15| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/78732.stm | title = UN sees no significant change in human rights' situation in Cuba | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> A former Prime Minister of Spain has written that the embargo is Castro's greatest ally, as it perpetuates the government and, if lifted, Castro would lose his presidency in three months.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = April 21 | url = http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/04/21/embargo.shtml | title = US embargo of Cuba is Castro's 'great ally', says former Spanish PM | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Caribbean Net News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> Many have condemned the embargo ranging from Pope John Paul II (in 1998 and 2005)<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = January 26 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/50516.stm | title = Pope picks US embargo as final target | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = January 10 | url = http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/01/10/calls.shtml | title = Pope calls for lifting of US embargo on Cuba | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Caribbean Net News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear =}}</ref>, to ]<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2002 | month = November 5 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2405845.stm | title = Spielberg attacks US policy on Cuba | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref> for humanitarian reasons. | |||
| By 1994 the island's economy, which had survived over 30 years of sanctions by the US, teetered on the brink. Cuba was plunged into what is called their "Special Period" during which there were shortages of everything. To survive, Cuba legalized the US dollar and turned to tourism. Even as late as 2004, Castro was forced to shut down 118 factories, including steel plants, sugar mills and paper processors for the month of October to deal with the crisis in fuel shortages.<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink =| coauthors =| date = | year = 2004 | month = September 30 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3702784.stm | title = Cuba to shut plants to save power | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear =}}</ref> | |||
| After the massive damage caused by Hurricane Michelle in 2001, Castro proposed to the U.S. a one-time cash purchase of food after declining a U.S. offer of humanitarian aid.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = November 17 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1662346.stm | title = Castro welcomes one-off US trade | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref> The U.S. authorized the shipment of food in 2001, the first since the embargo was imposed in 1962, because of the devastation caused by the hurricane.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = December 16 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1714776.stm | title = US food arrives in Cuba | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-19 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Castro and the Soviet Union=== | |||
| ] Premier ].]] | |||
| Following the establishment of diplomatic ties to the Soviet Union, and after the Cuban Missile Crisis, Cuba became increasingly dependent on Soviet markets and military and economic aid. Castro was able to build a formidable military force with the help of Soviet equipment and military advisors. The ] kept in close touch with Havana, and Castro tightened Communist Party control over all levels of government, the media, and the educational system, while developing a Soviet-style internal police force. | |||
| Castro's alliance with the Soviet Union caused something of a split between him and Guevara, who took a more pro-] view following ideological conflict between the ] and the ] ]. {{fact}} In 1966, Guevara left for ] in an ill-fated attempt to stir up revolution against the country's government. | |||
| On ], ] Castro made a public gesture to the Soviet Union that reaffirmed their support in him. Two days after the Soviet invasion of ] to repress the ], Castro took to the airwaves and publicly denounced the Czech rebellion. Castro warned the Cuban people about the Czechoslovakian 'counterrevolutionaries', who "were moving Czechoslovakia towards capitalism and into the arms of ]". He called the leaders of the rebellion "the agents of ] and ] reactionary rabble." <ref>{{cite web | last = Castro | first = Fidel | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = 24 | year = 1968 | month = August | url = http://lanic.utexas.edu/la/cb/cuba/castro/1968/19680824 | title = Castro comments on Czechoslovakia crisis | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = FBIS | language = English | accessdate = | accessyear = }} </ref> In return for his public backing of the invasion, at a time when many Soviet allies were deeming the invasion an infringement of Czechoslovakia's sovereignty, the Soviets bailed out the Cuban economy with extra loans and an immediate increase in oil exports. | |||
| In 1971, following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with ], despite a previously established ] convention that no nation in the ] would do so (the only exception being ], which had refused to adopt that convention), Cuban President Fidel Castro took a month-long visit to Chile. The visit, in which Castro participated actively in the internal politics of the country, holding massive rallies and giving public advice to Allende, was seen by those on the political right as proof to support their view that "The Chilean Way to Socialism" was an effort to put Chile on the same path as Cuba. <ref>{{cite book | last = Quirk | first = Robert | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1995 | month = August | url = | title = Fidel Castro = | work = | pages = | publisher = W. W. Norton & Company | language = English | accessdate = | accessyear = }} </ref> | |||
| ] and Fidel Castro]] | |||
| On ], ], Castro ordered the deployment of Cuban troops to ] in order to aid the Marxist ]-ruled government against the ]-backed ] opposition forces. Moscow aided the Cuban initiative with the USSR engaging in a massive airlift of Cuban forces into Angola. On Cuba's role in Angola, ] is said to have remarked "Cuban internationalists have done so much for African independence, freedom, and justice." <ref>{{cite web | last = Mandela | first = Nelson | date = | url = http://en.wikiquote.org/Nelson_Mandela | title = Attributed quotes of Nelson Mandela | publisher = Wikiquote.org | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> Cuban troops were also sent to Marxist ] to assist Ethiopian forces in the Ogaden War with Somalia in 1977. In addition, Castro extended support to Marxist Revolutionary movements throughout Latin America, such as aiding the ]s in overthrowing the ] dictatorship in ] in 1979. Overall, an estimated 14,000 Cubans were killed in Cuban military actions abroad. <ref>{{cite web | last = O'Grady | first = Mary Anastasia | date = ] | url = http://www.cubacenter.org/media/news_articles/countingcastrosvictims.php | title = Counting Castro's Victims | publisher = Wallstreet Journal, Center for a Free Cuba | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| When Soviet leader ] visited Cuba in 1989, the close relationship between Moscow and Havana was strained by Gorbachev's implementation of economic and political reforms in the USSR. "We are witnessing sad things in other socialist countries, very sad things," lamented Castro in November 1989, in reference to the reforms that were sweeping such communist allies as the Soviet Union, ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | date = November 9, 1989 | url = http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r101:S17NO9-1592: | title = Castro Laments 'Very Sad Things' in Bloc | publisher = Washington Post | accessdate = 2006-05-22 }}</ref> The subsequent ] in 1991 had an immediate and devastating effect on Cuba. | |||
| ===Foreign relations=== | |||
| {{main|Foreign relations of Cuba}} | |||
| ] during her official visit to Cuba in the mid-1970's]]Cuba and Panama have restored diplomatic ties after breaking them off in 2005 when Panama's former president pardoned four Cuban exiles accused of attempting to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro. The foreign minister of each country re-established official diplomatic relations in Havana by signing a document describing a spirit of fraternity that has long linked both nations.<ref name="Cuba and Panama restore relations">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = August 21 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4170374.stm | title = Cuba and Panama restore relations | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> Cuba, once shunned by many of its Latin American neighbours, now has full diplomatic relations with all but Costa Rica and El Salvador.<ref name="Cuba and Panama restore relations" /> | |||
| Although the relationship between Cuba and Mexico remains strained, each side appears to make attempts to improve it. In 1998 Fidel Castro apologised for remarks he made about Mickey Mouse which led Mexico to recall its ambassador from Havana. He said he intended no offense when he said earlier that Mexican children would find it easier to name Disney characters than to recount key figures in Mexican history. Rather, he said, his words were meant to underscore the cultural dominance of the US.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = December 19 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/238827.stm | title = Castro says sorry to Mexico | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> Mexican president, Vicente Fox, apologised to Fidel Castro in 2002 over allegations by Castro that Fox forced him to leave a United Nations summit in Mexico so that he would not be in the presence of President Bush, who also attended.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2002 | month = April 25 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1946089.stm | title = Mexico's Fox apologises to Castro | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| At a summit meeting of sixteen Caribbean countries in 1998, Castro called for regional unity, saying that only strengthened cooperation between Caribbean countries would prevent their domination by rich nations in a global economy.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = August 21 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/156312.stm | title = Castro calls for Caribbean unity | format =| work = | pages = | publisher = BBC New | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> Caribbean nations have embraced Cuba's Fidel Castro while accusing the US of breaking trade promises. Castro, until recently a regional outcast, has been increasing grants and scholarships to the Caribbean countries, while US aid has dropped 25% over the past five years.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = August 25 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/156756.stm | title = Castro finds new friends | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> Cuba has opened four additional embassies in the Caribbean Community including: ] and ], ], ], ]. This development makes Cuba the only country to have embassies in all independent countries of the Caribbean Community.<ref>{{cite news | last = | first = | date = March, 2006 | url = http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000008/000823.htm | title = Cuba opens more Caribbean embassies | format = HTML | publisher = Caribbean Net News | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| In the poorest areas of ] and ], Castro is seen as a hero, the leader of the ], and the enemy of the wealthy and greedy.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | year = 1998 | month =August 11 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/149414.stm | title =Libyan human rights prize awarded to Fidel Castro of Cuba | publisher =BBC News | accessdate =2006-06-13}}</ref> On a visit to South Africa he was warmly received by President Nelson Mandela.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = September 4 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/164687.stm | title = Castro's state visit to South Africa | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2000-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> President Mandela gave Castro South Africa's highest civilian award for foreigners, the Order of Good Hope.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = September 6 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/165566.stm | title = Castro ends state-visit to South Africa | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> Last December Castro fulfilled his promise of sending 100 medical aid workers to Botswana, according to the Botswana presidency. These workers play an important role in Botswana's war against HIV/AIDS. According to Anna Vallejera, Cuba's first-ever Ambassador to Botswana, the health workers are part of her country's ongoing commitment to proactively assist in the global war against HIV/AIDS,<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = December 16 | url = http://www.afrol.com/articles/15034 | title = Fidel Castro's "promise to Botswana fulfilled" | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = afrol News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| The president of ] ] is a grand admirer of his and Bolivian president ] called him the "Grandfather". In ] he is seen as an icon because of his historic visit with ] in 1960 at the ].{{Citation needed}} | |||
| ] ] ].]] | |||
| Castro was known to be a friend of former ] ] ] and attended Trudeau's funeral in October 2000 to mourn the passing of his friend. They continued their friendship after Trudeau left office until his death. ] became one of the first ] allies to open trade with Cuba. Cuba still has a good relationship with Canada. In 1998 Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien arrived in Cuba to meet President Castro and highlight their close ties. He is the first Canadian government leader to visit the island since Pierre Trudeau was in Havana in 1976.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink =| coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = April 20 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/80546.stm | title = Canadian PM visits Fidel in April | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| European Union representatives described their political dialogue with Cuba as back on track after a weekend of talks in Havana. The EU praised Cuba's willingness to discuss questions of human rights. Cuba is the only Latin American country without an economic co-operation agreement with the EU. However trade with individual European countries remains strong, since the US trade embargo on Cuba leaves the market free from American rivals.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = December 3 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1689710.stm | title = EU and Cuba bury the hatchet | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2000-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> In 2005 EU Development Commissioner ] ended his visit to Cuba optimistic that relations with the communist state will become stronger. The EU is Cuba's largest trading partner. Cuba's imprisonment of 75 dissidents and the execution of three hijackers have strained diplomatic relations. However the EU commissioner was impressed with Fidel Castro's willingness to discuss these concerns, although he received no commitments from Castro. Cuba does not admit to holding political prisoners, rather seeing them as mercenaries in the pay of the United States.<ref>{{cite web | last = Gibbs | first = Stephen | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = March 28 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4385657.stm | title = EU 'optimistic' after Cuba visit | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-21 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Succession issues== | |||
| {{seealso|2006 Cuban transfer of duties}} | |||
| On ], ], the spokesman for Castro announced a provisional transfer of his duties as president and Communist Party first secretary to his younger brother ]. The announcement cited "an acute intestinal crisis, with sustained bleeding" requiring immediate medical intervention, as the cause of his decision to cede control.<ref name="translation of Castro statement announcing temporary power transfer">, '']'', August 1, 2006.</ref> The announcement marked the first delegation of presidential duties in Cuba since Castro's inauguration in 1976. <ref>CNN 1 August 2006 </ref> | |||
| Due to the issue of presidential succession, and Castro's longevity, there has long been rumor, speculation and hoaxing about Castro's health and demise. In 1998 there were reports that he had a serious brain disease, later discredited.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = July 24 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/138452.stm | title = Castro says he feels fine | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = | accessyear = }}</ref> In June, 2001, he apparently fainted during a seven-hour speech under the Caribbean sun.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = June 23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1404497.stm | title = Castro collapses during speech | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> Later that day he finished the speech, walking buoyantly into the television studios in his military fatigues, joking with journalists.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2001 | month = June 23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1404511.stm | title = Castro finishes speech after collapse | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC New | language = | accessdate =2006-05-05 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| In January 2004, Luis Eduardo Garzón, the mayor of ], said that Castro "seemed very sick to me" following a meeting with him during a vacation in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | date = ] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/01/14/castro.health.ap | title = Bogota mayor: Castro health deteriorating | publisher = CNN.com | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> In May 2004, Castro's physician denied that his health was failing, and speculated that he would live to be 140 years old. Dr. Eugenio Selman Housein said that the "press is always speculating about something, that he had a heart attack once, that he had cancer, some neurological problem", but maintained that Castro was in good health.<ref>{{cite news | last = | first = | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/18/1084783511071.html | title = Fidel Castro can live to 140, doctor says | format = HTML | publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| On ] ], Castro tripped and fell following a speech he gave at a rally, breaking his kneecap.<ref>{{cite news | last = | first = | date = ] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3761748.stm | title = Castro breaks knee, arm in fall | format = HTML | publisher = BBC News | accessdate = 2006-05-14 }}</ref> <!-- Unsourced image removed: ] -->Five days after the fall, he appeared on television for two hours, making jokes about staircases. A month later he stood briefly while receiving a present from the visiting Chinese President ]. Two months after his fall a smiling Castro walked for the first time in public. <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2004 | month = December 23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4122531.stm | title = First walk for Castro after fall | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-06-13}}</ref> | |||
| Because of his large role in Cuba, his well-being has become a continual source of speculation, both on and off the island, as he has grown older. The CIA has long been preoccupied with Castro's health.<ref>{{cite web | last = Westcott | first = Kathryn | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = November 18 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4445484.stm | title = Why health matters for CIA | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-15 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| In 2005 the CIA said it thought Castro has ].<ref>{{cite web | last = Nordqvist | first = Christian | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = November | url = http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=33663 | title = Fidel Castro has Parkinson's Disease, thinks the CIA | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Medical News Today | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-14 | accessyear = }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = November 17 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4444454.stm | title = Castro has Parkinson's says CIA | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-16 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Castro denies such allegations, while also stating "I don't care if I get Parkinson's. The Pope had Parkinson's, and he spent a bunch of years running all around the world."<ref>{{cite web | last = Nordqvist | first = Christian | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2005 | month = November | url = http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=33746 | title = Parkinson's disease a CIA fabrication, says Fidel Castro | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = Medical News Today | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-14 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| As of August 2nd, rumors persist that Castro is already dead. The theory is that if he was suddenly pronounced dead, there could be an uprising. If he was declared to be "sick", his brother Raul could transfer into power over the course of a few weeks while Fidel "lingers." His final "death" could be then used to as a pre-arranged celebration. | |||
| ==Castro and human rights== | |||
| Some studies report that up to several thousands of political opponents have been killed, primarily during the first decade of Castro's leadership;<ref>{{cite web | last = White | first = Matthew | date = 2005-06 | url = http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat6.htm#Cuba59 | title = Minor Atrocities of the Twentieth Century | publisher = | accessdate = 2006-06-01 }}</ref> however exact numbers are not known. Some Cubans labeled "counterrevolutionaries", "fascists", or "CIA operatives" have been imprisoned in extremely poor conditions without trial. <ref>{{cite book | last = Volkman | first = Ernest | year = 1995 | title = Espionage: The Greatest Spy Operations of the Twentieth Century | chapter= Our man in Havana. Cuban double agents 1961–1987 | publisher = Wiley | location = New York | id = ISBN 0471161578}}</ref> ], or UMAP's, were labor camps established in 1965, according to ], for “people who have committed crimes against revolutionary morals” as well as Castro's concept of "social deviants," including ] and ] victims, in order to work "counter-revolutionary" influences out of certain segments of the population. <ref>{{cite book | last = Castañeda | first = Jorge | year = 1998 | title = Compañero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara | publisher = Vintage | pages = 62 | location = New York | id = ISBN 0340566507}}</ref> Professor Marifeli Pérez Stable, a Cuban American who once supported the revolution, reflects on the costs of the Cuban revolution. " thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba." <ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/peopleevents/p_castro.html</ref>Castro acknowledges that Cuba holds political prisoners, but argues that Cuba is justified because these prisoners are not jailed because of their political beliefs, but have been convicted of "counter-revolutionary" crimes, including bombings. <ref>PBS 12 February 1985</ref> | |||
| Fidel Castro portrays ] as illegitimate, and the result of an ongoing conspiracy fostered by Cuban exiles with ties to the United States or the CIA. Many Castro supporters say that Castro's measures are justified to prevent the fall of his government, whereas his opposition says he uses the United States as an excuse to justify his continuing political control. | |||
| ==Castro and religion== | |||
| Castro is an ] and has not been a practicing ] since his childhood. ] ] Castro in 1962 on the basis of a 1949 decree by ] forbidding Catholics from supporting communist governments. The excommunication was aimed at undermining support for Castro among Catholics. For Castro, who had previously renounced his Catholic faith, this was an event of very little consequence, nor was it expected to be otherwise. | |||
| In 1992 Castro agreed to loosen restrictions on religion and even permitted church-going Catholics to join the Cuban Communist Party. He began describing his country as "secular" rather than "atheist".<ref> {{cite web | author= | title= Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba | journal= The New York Times -on the Web | year= | volume= | issue= | pages= | url= http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/cuba-pope-index.html}} </ref> ] visited Cuba in 1998, the first visit by a reigning pontiff to the island. Castro and the Pope appeared side by side in public on several occasions during the visit. Castro wore a dark blue business suit (in contrast to his fatigues) in his public meetings with the Pope and treated him with reverence and respect.<ref> {{cite web | first= Larry | last= Rother | authorlink= | coauthors= | year= January 28, 1998 | title= Pope Condemns Embargo; Castro Attends Mass | edition= | publisher= The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/012698pope-cuba-rdp.html | id= }} </ref> | |||
| The Pope generally stayed away from overt political themes, emphasizing that his trip was designed to strengthen the Catholic Church in Cuba. However, he denounced the US embargo on Cuba as "restrictive economic measures – unjust and ethically unacceptable". The message was somewhat obscured in the U.S. media, though, as the ] scandal broke upon the Pope's visit to Cuba.<ref>{{cite web | first= Larry | last= Rother | authorlink= | coauthors= | year= January 28, 1998 | title= Pope Condemns Embargo; Castro Attends Mass | edition= | publisher= The New York Times | url = http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/012698pope-cuba-rdp.html | id= }} </ref> He also criticized widespread ]<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | date = January 1, 1998 | url = http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9801/22/pope/ | title = Pope attacks Cuban abortion policy | publisher = CNN.com | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> in Cuban hospitals and urged Castro to end the government's monopoly on education to allow the return of Catholic schools. A month later Castro condemned the use of abortion as a form of ].<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = February 28 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/59998.stm | title = Castro condemns abortion | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| In December, 1998, Castro formally re-instated Christmas Day as the official celebration it was formerly before the Communist Party abolished it in 1969.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = December 5 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/228764.stm | title = Castro ratifies Christmas holiday | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> Cubans were again allowed to mark ] as a holiday and to openly hold religious processions. The Pope sent a telegram to Castro thanking him for restoring Christmas as a public holiday.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1998 | month = December 28 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/243705.stm | title = Pope's Christmas message for Castro | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| Castro attended a Roman Catholic convent blessing in 2003. The purpose of this unprecedented event was to help bless the newly restored convent in Old Havana and to mark the fifth anniversary of the Pope's visit to Cuba.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2003 | month = March 9 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2833699.stm | title = Castro attends convent blessing | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| The senior spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian faith arrived in Cuba in 2004, the first time any Orthodox Patriarch of the 2,000-year-old Orthodox faith has visited Latin America in the Church's history. ] consecrated a cathedral in Havana and bestowed an honour on Fidel Castro. His aides said that he was responding to the decision of the Cuban Government to build and donate to the Orthodox Christians a tiny Orthodox cathedral in the heart of old Havana.<ref>{{cite web | last = Gibbs | first = Stephen | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2004 | month = January 22 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3418733.stm | title = Castro greets Orthodox patriarch | format = | work = | pages = | publisher = BBC News | language = | accessdate = 2006-05-20 | accessyear = }}</ref> | |||
| After the Pope's death in April 2005, an emotional Castro attended a ] in his honor in Havana's cathedral and signed the Pope's condolence book at the Vatican Embassy.<ref>{{cite web | last = Newman | first = Lucia | date = April 6, 2005 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/04/04/pope.castro/ | title = Castro signs pope's condolence book | publisher = CNN.com }}</ref> | |||
| He had last visited the cathedral in 1959, 46 years earlier, for the wedding of one of his sisters. Jaime Cardinal Ortega led the mass and welcomed Castro, who was dressed in a black suit, expressing his gratitude for the "heartfelt way the death of our Holy Father John Paul II was received (in Cuba)."<ref>{{cite web | last = Batista | first = Carlos | date = ] | url = http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/04/05/mourns.shtml | title = Fidel Castro mourns pope at Havana cathedral | publisher = Caribbean Net News | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Castro as a public figure== | |||
| By wearing military-style uniforms and leading mass demonstrations, Castro projects an image of a perpetual revolutionary. Large throngs of people gather to cheer at Castro's fiery speeches, which typically last for hours. Many details of Castro's private life, particularly involving his family members, are scarce and Castro, often referred to as "Comandante" ("''Commander''"), insists that he does not promote a ]. When asked about the matter in 1985 he replied, | |||
| {{cquote|Although we have been dogmatic, we have never preached cult of personality. You will not see a statue of me anywhere, nor a school with my name, nor a street, nor a little town, nor any type of personality cult because we have not taught our people to believe, but to think, to reason out."<ref>"" ''PBS Online Newshour'' February 12, 1985.</ref>}} | |||
| Despite this, Castro was accused by American ] ] of "bask in the adulation and servility of his subordinates" and "creating a regime built around the cult of the personality functions" encouraging "the illusion that only he and his select group of revolutionaries have earned the right to wield unlimited power over the people of Cuba."<ref>]. ''''.</ref> Castro has also been described as an example of the rise of a distinct "]"<ref> </ref> common to developing nations, and of encouraging the "personalistic political regime". This theory contends that Castro has maintained power largely through highly visible, charismatic leadership and popular appeals to the Cuban people, though the administration is successful only as long as the leader's charisma lasts.<ref>Erin Bream, ''''.</ref> | |||
| ==Personal== | |||
| ] in 2003]] | |||
| ===Family=== | |||
| By his first wife Mirta Díaz-Balart, Castro has a son named Fidel "Fidelito" Castro Díaz-Balart. Mirta and Castro were divorced in 1955, and Mirta now lives remarried in ]. Fidelito was later returned to ], where he ran Cuba's atomic-energy commission before being removed from the post by his father.<ref name="anderson">Jon Lee Anderson, "Castro's Last Battle: Can the revolution outlive its leader?" The New Yorker, 31 July, 2006. 51.</ref> | |||
| Fidel has five other sons by his second wife, Dalia Soto del Valle: Alexis, Alexander, Alejandro, Antonio, and Angel.<ref name="anderson"/> | |||
| While Fidel was still married to Mirta, he had an affair with Naty Revuelta resulting in a daughter named ]<ref name="anderson"/>. Alina left Cuba in 1993 and sought asylum in the United States. She has been a vocal critic of her father's policies. During his days in the Sierra, Castro was linked romantically with fellow rebel ], though support for this theory isn't as common as it was. | |||
| ===Wealth=== | |||
| In 2005, American business and financial magazine '']'' listed Castro among the world's richest people, with an estimated net worth of $550 million, based on economic control of ]. In 2006, Forbes magazine increased their estimate of Castro's wealth to $900 million <ref>{{cite web | last = Gershberg | first = Michele | date = ] | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060504/ts_nm/forbes_rulers_dc_1 | title = Castro worth $900 million: Forbes | publisher = Yahoo.com | accessdate = 2006-05-11 }}</ref> but acknowledged in the article that the estimates for all the leaders are "more art than science" and admitted that they had based their report on assumptions.<ref>{{cite web | date = ] | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060516/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_castro_forbes | title = Castro Denies Forbes Report on His Wealth | publisher = Yahoo.com | accessdate = 2006-05-16 }}</ref>. Castro responded to the report by saying: | |||
| {{cquote|''If they can prove I have an account abroad... containing even one dollar I will resign my post.'' <ref>{{cite web | date = ] | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060516/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_castro_forbes | title = Castro Denies Forbes Report on His Wealth | publisher = Yahoo.com | accessdate = 2006-05-16 }}</ref>}} | |||
| Attempts have been made to provide a clear and in-depth overview of Castro's large economic influence and financial status. <ref>{{cite paper |author= Werlau, Maria C. |date= 2005 |url= http://info.lanic.utexas.edu/project/asce/pdfs/volume15/pdfs/werlau.pdf |title=Fidel Castro, Inc.: A Global Conglomerate| format = PDF |publisher= Cuba in Transition |version= |accessdate= 2006-05-28 }} </ref> These attempts often must rely on the testimonials of defectors who were close to Castro and investigators have not been able to give hard evidence of his real worth. In addition, although the evidence is clear that Cuba as an entity must and does operate within the nexus of global capital markets as a "global conglomerate", it is difficult to separate the state from the individual and vice versa. Castro maintains that these activities are for the benefit of the state and not for personal gain. Whether or not the wealth that he controls as the head of state is to be considered personal wealth or not is a matter of controversy. What is generally accepted is the fact that Cuba as an entity acts in world markets as any other financial and economic entity must. | |||
| Recently, ] ] ], who has a history of supporting Castro, <ref>{{cite web | last =Adams | first =Tim | year = 2004 | month = April 25 | url =http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/politicsphilosophyandsociety/story/0,,1202568,00.html | title ='I've committed many sins' | publisher =The Guardian | accessdate =2006-07-06 }}</ref> made a live appearance on Cuban TV to defend Castro against the charges. <ref>{{cite web | last =Gibbs | first =Stephen | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 2006 | month = May 2 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5015382.stm | title =Galloway backs Castro on Cuba TV | publisher =BBC News | accessdate =2006-06-13 }}</ref> | |||
| ==References and footnotes== | |||
| <div class="references-small"> | |||
| <references /> | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| *Alarcón Ramírez, Dariel ("Benigno")1997 Memorias de un Soldado Cubano: Vida y Muerte de la Revolución. Tusquets Editores S.A. Barcelona, ISBN 848319942 | |||
| *Ameringer, Charles D 1995 The Caribbean Legion Patriots, Politicians, Soldiers of Fortune, 1946-1950 Pennsylvania State University Press (December, 1995) (Paperback) ISBN 0271014520 | |||
| *Álvarez Batista, Gerónimo 1983. III Frente a las puertas de Santiago. Editorial Letras Cubanas, Havana. | |||
| *Ames, Michaela Lajda; Mendoza, Plinio Apuleyo; Montaner, Carlos Alberto; Llosa, Mario Vargas; Montaner, Carlos Alberto. Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot. | |||
| *Anderson, Jon Lee 1997. Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life, Bantam Press, ISBN 0553406647 or Grove Press, ISBN 0-8021-1600-0 | |||
| *Aparicio Laurencio, Angel 1975 "Antecedentes desconocidos del nueve de abril" Ediciones Universal, Madrid. ISBN 8439913362 | |||
| *Batista, Fulgencio 1960 Repuesta. Manuel León Sánchez S.C.L., Mexico D.F | |||
| *Bancroft, Mary 1983. Autobiography of a spy. William Morrow and Company. Inc. New York. ISBN 0688020194 | |||
| *Bonachea, Ramon L and Marta San Martin 1974. The Cuban insurrection 1952-1959. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, New Jersey ISBN 0878555765 | |||
| *Castro, Fidel, ''History Will Absolve Me'', Editorial de Ciencias Sociales, La Habana, 1975 | |||
| *de la Cova, Antonio Rafael (In Press) The Moncada Attack: Birth of the Cuba Revolution University of South Carolina Press | |||
| *Fontanova, Humberto 2005 Fidel: Hollywood's Favorite Tyrant. Regnery Publishing Company, Washington DC. ISBN 0895260433 | |||
| *Franqui, Carlos (Translator Albert B. Teichner) 1968 The Twelve. Lyle Stuart New York ISBN 0818400897 ] | |||
| *Furiati, Claudia 2003 Fidel Castro: La Historia Me Absolvera. Diane Pub Co. ISBN 0756776112 | |||
| *Gonzalez, Servando 2002 The Secret Fidel Castro: Deconstructing the Symbol. Spooks Books, U.S. ISBN 0971139105 ISBN 0971139113 | |||
| *Gott, Richard (2004). ''Cuba: A New History.'' Yale University Press. ISBN 0300104111 | |||
| *Guevara, Ernesto “Che” (and Waters, Mary Alice editor) 1996 Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War 1956-1958. Pathfinder New York. ISBN 0873488245 | |||
| *Holland, Max 1999 A Luce Connection: Senator Keating, William Pawley, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Journal of Cold War Studies 1.3, 139-167. | |||
| *Johnson, Haynes 1964 The Bay of Pigs: The Leaders' Story of Brigade 2506. W. W. Norton & Co Inc. New York. 1974 edition ISBN 0393042634 | |||
| *Lagas, Jacques 1964 Memorias de un capitán rebelde. Editorial del Pácifico. Santiago, Chile. | |||
| *Latell, Brian. 2005. After Fidel: The inside story of Castro's regime and Cuba's next leader. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. | |||
| *Lazo, Mario 1968 Dagger in the heart: American policy failures in Cuba. Twin Circle. New York | |||
| *Martin, Lionel 1978 The Early Fidel: Roots of Castro's Communism Lyle Stuart, Secaucus New Jersey; 1st ed edition ISBN 0818402547 p. 25. | |||
| *Matos, Huber, 2002. Como llego la Noche. Tusquet Editores, SA, Barcelona. ISBN 848310944 | |||
| *Morán Arce, Lucas 1980 La revolución cubana, 1953-1959: Una versión rebelde Imprenta Universitaria, Universidad Católica; ISBN B0000EDAW9 | |||
| *de Paz-Sánchez, Manuel 1997. Zona Rebelde. La diplomacia Española ante la revolución cubana. Litografía Romero. S.A. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain ISBN 847926263X | |||
| *de Paz-Sánchez, Manuel 2001. Zona de Guerra. España ante la Revolución Cubana. Litografía Romero. S.A. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain ISBN 8479263644 | |||
| *Priestland, Jane (editor) 2003 British Archives on Cuba: Cuba under Castro 1959-1962. Archival Publications International Limited, 2003, London ISBN 1903008204 | |||
| *Rojo del Río, Manuel. 1981 La Historia Cambio En La Sierra. Editorial Texto, San José, Costa Rica 2a Ed. Aumentada | |||
| *Ros, Enrique 2003 Fidel Castro y El Gatillo Alegre: Sus A~nos Universitarios (Coleccion Cuba y Sus Jueces) Ediciones Universal Miami ISBN 1593880065 | |||
| *U.S. State Department 1950-1954. Confidential Central files Cuba 1950-1954 Internal Affairs Decimal Numbers 737, 837 and 937, Foreign Affairs decimal numbers 637 611.37 Microfilm Project University of Publications of America, Inc. , | |||
| *PBS American Experience. Fidel Castro - Further reading. PBS Online / WGBH. | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *'']'' - a 2003 documentary film by ] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *'']'' - a 2002 movie by David Attwood | |||
| *] | |||
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| *] | |||
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| ==External links== | |||
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| *'''About Fidel Castro''' | |||
| ** ''Cuban Communist Party'' | |||
| **, a site critical of Castro's policies. | |||
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| ** ] tells about his encounter with Castro (December 24, 2003) in ]. | |||
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| ** Interactive site on Fidel Castro with a teacher's guide | |||
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| ** - Did Fidel Castro almost have a career in baseball? | |||
| **{{imdb name | id=0004242 | name=Fidel Castro}} | |||
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