[CA] Fidel Castro

Ø Revolutionary leader, Mr. Fidel Datro passed away at the age of 90 years

Ø The former Cuban President and leader of the Communist revolution ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century before handing over the powers to his brother Raul in 2008. His supporters praised him as a man who had given Cuba back to the people.

Fidel Castro

• Born on 13 August 1926, Fidel Castro governed Cuba as its Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976.

• Politically Marxist–Leninist, Castro also served the country as its President from 1976 to 2008.

• He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. He held the post from 1961 to 2011.

• His administration helped Cuba in turning into a one-party socialist state.

• Under him, state socialist reforms implemented throughout society and the industry and business were nationalized.

• In 1959, he along with his brother Raul Castro and Che Guevara overthrew the then Cuban President Fulgencio Batista by leading a guerrilla war against the then Cuban President Fulgencio Batista.

• He, who adopted the Marxist-Leninist model of development, converted Cuba into a one-party socialist state under Communist Party rule, which was first in the Western Hemisphere.

• Reforms introduced by Fidel Castro included

a) Central economic planning

b) Expansion of healthcare and education

c) State control of the press

d) Suppression of internal dissent

• He also survived countless American assassination attempts.

• Being a divisive and controversial leader, Castro was decorated with several international awards, including South Africa's highest civilian award for foreigners, the Order of Good Hope.

ü Besides, Castro also supported anti-imperialist revolutionary groups across the world.

ü He backed establishment of Marxist governments in Nicaragua, Chile and Grenada.

ü He sent troops to aid allies in the Ethio-Somali War, Yom Kippur War and Angolan Civil War.

ü From 1979–83, he also led the Non-Aligned Movement and helped in establishing Cuba’s profile on the world stage.

ü Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended condolences to the Cuban government and people of the country on the demise of Fidel Castro.

ü In a series of tweets, Narendra Modi said that Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century.