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Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (/ˈkæstroʊ/ KASS-troh, Latin American Spanish: [fiˈðel aleˈxandɾo ˈkastɾo ˈrus]; 13 August 1926 – 25 November 2016) was a Cuban revolutionary and statesman who led Cuba from 1959 to 2008. He served as the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and as President from 1976 to 2008. A staunch Marxist-Leninist and Cuban nationalist, he was also the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1965 until 2011. Under Castro’s leadership, Cuba was transformed into a one-party communist state, with the nationalization of industry and business and the implementation of extensive socialist reforms.

Castro was born in Birán, the son of a prosperous Spanish farmer. While studying law at the University of Havana, he embraced leftist and anti-imperialist ideologies. Castro participated in uprisings against right-wing regimes in the Dominican Republic and Colombia before turning his focus to overthrowing Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. His first attempt, an assault on the Moncada Barracks in 1953, failed and led to his imprisonment for a year. After his release, Castro went to Mexico, where he formed the 26th of July Movement with his brother Raúl Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara.

Returning to Cuba, Castro played a pivotal role in the Cuban Revolution, leading guerrilla warfare from the Sierra Maestra mountains against Batista’s forces. After Batista was overthrown in 1959, Castro seized both military and political control as Prime Minister. His government faced significant opposition from the United States, which sought to oust him through assassination attempts, economic embargoes, and counter-revolutionary efforts, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961. To counter these threats, Castro allied Cuba with the Soviet Union and permitted the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles on the island, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, a crucial episode of the Cold War.

Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926, in Birán, a small village in Cuba's Oriente Province. His father, Ángel Castro, was a wealthy Spanish immigrant who owned a large sugar plantation. His mother, Lina Ruz González, was a household servant who later became Ángel's wife. Castro had five siblings, including his younger brother Raúl Castro, who would later play a significant role in the Cuban government.

Castro's early education was influenced by the Jesuits, known for their strict discipline and emphasis on moral and intellectual development. He attended various Jesuit boarding schools, where he developed a reputation for his intelligence and rebellious nature. In 1945, Castro enrolled at the University of Havana, where he studied law and became deeply involved in student activism. His time at the university was marked by his participation in violent protests and political debates, which shaped his revolutionary ideology.

Revolutionary Beginnings: In 1950, Castro graduated from law school and began practicing law, focusing on cases involving the poor and marginalized. He became increasingly disillusioned with the corruption and inequality in Cuban society, leading him to join the Partido Ortodoxo, a progressive political party. In 1953, Castro led an attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba, an event that ended in failure and his imprisonment. During his trial, Castro delivered his famous "History Will Absolve Me" speech, outlining his revolutionary vision for Cuba.

The Cuban Revolution: After being released from prison in 1955, Castro went into exile in Mexico, where he met fellow revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara. In 1956, Castro and his followers, known as the 26th of July Movement, launched an armed struggle against Batista's regime. Despite initial setbacks, the movement gained popular support, and by 1959, Castro's forces had overthrown Batista, establishing a new government in Havana.

Leadership and Reforms: As Prime Minister, Castro implemented radical agrarian reforms, nationalized industries, and sought to eliminate illiteracy and improve healthcare. His policies were met with hostility from the United States, leading to a trade embargo and several assassination attempts. In response, Castro aligned Cuba with the Soviet Union, solidifying his position as a key player in the Cold War.

Consolidation of Power: In 1976, Cuba adopted a new constitution, and Castro became the President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. His government maintained strict control over the economy and suppressed political dissent through surveillance, imprisonment, and executions. Despite economic hardships, Castro's regime survived the collapse of the Soviet Union, largely due to his charisma and ability to inspire loyalty among many Cubans.

Later Years and Retirement: In the 2000s, Castro's health began to decline, leading him to delegate more responsibilities to his brother Raúl. In 2008, Fidel officially stepped down, and Raúl Castro assumed the presidency. Fidel continued to write and make public appearances until his death on November 25, 2016.

Fidel Castro's legacy is deeply complex and contested. On one hand, he is lauded for his efforts to provide universal healthcare, education, and social services in Cuba. His defiance against U.S. imperialism and support for liberation movements in Latin America, Africa, and Asia earned him admiration worldwide. Under his leadership, Cuba achieved significant advancements in health and education, with life expectancy and literacy rates among the highest in the developing world.

On the other hand, Castro's rule was marked by severe human rights abuses, including censorship, imprisonment of political opponents, and suppression of free speech. The Cuban economy suffered from inefficiency and stagnation, exacerbated by the U.S. embargo and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many Cubans fled the country, risking their lives to escape the oppressive regime.

The future of Castro's legacy depends on the ongoing political and economic developments in Cuba. Since Fidel's death, Raúl Castro implemented modest economic reforms and restored diplomatic relations with the United States. However, the fundamental structure of the Cuban government remains largely unchanged. As Cuba continues to navigate its path forward, the debate over Castro's impact on the nation and the world will persist.

1. "Castro" Archived 5 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
2. Bourne 1986, p. 14; Coltman 2003, p. 3; Castro & Ramonet 2009, pp. 23–24.
3. "Fidel Castro (1926–) Archived 19 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine". Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). 2014.
4. Bourne 1986, pp. 14–15; Quirk 1993, pp. 7–8; Coltman 2003, pp. 1–2; Castro & Ramonet 2009, pp. 24–29.
5. Bourne 1986, pp. 14–15; Quirk 1993, p. 4; Coltman 2003, p. 3; Castro & Ramonet 2009, pp. 24–29.