Fidel Castro

Cuba was once ruled by a military ruler, until Fidel Castro came into power after a revolution. Fidel Castro quickly tried to secure trade ties with the United States, but as he was sympathetic to communists the United States was afraid he was one himself. Having no trade ties with the United States, he turned to the Soviet Union. He is a great speaker and charismatic leader who gained power legitimately. It is contested whether he has maintained power legitamently. He made health care available to all people and schooling free. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union Cuba's middle class has been losing support for Fidel Castro. The dissenters of the middle class and those trying to escape the poverty forced by the embargo make up those trying to flee Cuba. Support within the lower class is still strong. Economically Cuba is a much more equal place to live.However, social freedoms are not as good. There are many of what Amnesty International calls "Prisoners of Conscience." It is illegal to speak against Fidel Castro, even peacefully. Many things such as this are problems in Cuba. The embargo is a huge blow to Cuba economically, which has repetedly been voted against by the vast majority of the United Nations. The embargo also serves to cover up the social injustices of Cuba as there is less trade coming in and out of Cuba. If the Embargo were ended, Cuba would be a better place to live economically and socially. The United States had repetedly tried to murder Fidel Castro and even tried to launch an invasion. This invasion became known as the Bay of Pigs. It was unsuccessful as Fidel Castro quickly squelched what support there was and the rest Cuba's population resisted strongly. Fidel Castro is one of the most successful socialist revolutionary leaders. He transformed Cuba into a much more economically equal place than places like America, but he has been a harsh leader as well. His age is getting up there though and he can't live too much longer. Upon his death, his brother, Raul Castro, will mostly like gain power.