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Fidel Castro, 1959.

Castro, Fidel 1926- 2016

Fidel Castro led the Cuban revolution and worked to overthrow the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. After the revolution, Castro became Cuba’s prime minister from 1959-1976 and president from 1976-2008. Castro turned Cuba into a communist country, forged strong ties with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and exported revolution to other parts of the world.

Fidel Castro, 1959.

Popular Documents

October 26, 1962

Telegram from Fidel Castro to N. S. Khrushchev

In his message to Khrushchev, Fidel Castro evaluated the two possible scenarios of American aggression against Cuba. Castro seems to suggest a retaliatory nuclear strike against the US in the case of an attack on Cuba.

April 3, 1977

Transcript of Meeting between East German leader Erich Honecker and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, East Berlin (excerpts)

Transcript of a meeting between East German leader Erich Honecker and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, East Berlin (excerpts) regarding Castro’s visit to Somalia and Ethiopia, criticizing Siad Barre and discussing the need to help the revolution in Ethiopia

October 28, 1962

Letter from Fidel Castro to Khrushchev

Fidel Castro explained to Khrushchev his decision to shoot down American planes operating in Cuban air space and reaffirmed his opposition to any inspection of Cuban territory.

January 21, 1961

From the Journal of S.M. Kudryavtsev, 'Record of a Conversation with Prime Minister of Cuba Fidel Castro Ruz, 21 January 1961'

Fidel Castro discusses the conditions of the Cuban economy and militia and expresses his belief that Cuba-United States relations are heading in a positive direction.

March 22, 1961

From the Journal of S.M. Kudryaytsev, ‘Record of Conversation with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Fidel Castro, 3 March 1961’

Kudryavtsev and Fidel Castro discuss Cuba's domestic political situation and the threat of a US supported invasion of Cuba by external counterrevolutionaries.