Fidel Castro, the emblematic leader of Cuba's 1959 revolution and its longest-serving head of state, passed away on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90. His younger brother, Raúl Castro, who succeeded him as president, announced the news on state television, stating, "The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening". Castro's death marked the end of an era for Cuba, a nation he transformed from a U.S.-dominated playground into a socialist state that defied American influence for nearly six decades. His revolutionary journey began in the mountains of eastern Cuba, where, at 32, he led a guerrilla movement that ousted dictator Fulgencio Batista. His image as a revolutionary warrior, rifle in hand, became iconic and inspired admirers worldwide . Under Castro's leadership, Cuba aligned itself with the Soviet Union, surviving numerous U.S. assassination attempts and the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. He established a one-party state,...
Comments