Fidel Castro was born August 13, 1926. He was born in the
farmlands
belonging to his father Angel. Fidel Castro was born with wild qualities
that we ascribe to jungle animals like lions and tigers. Fidel attended
Jesuit school in Belen. Those who knew him said that his future showed
much promise. No one knew that this future would involve the Cuban
Revolution. Fidel’s leadership qualities brought more turmoil than
anyone
could ever imagine.
Fidel entered Havana University at 19 years of age, in the Faculty
of law.
According to President Batista, Castro killed two men during his student
days. Fidel was also accused of being a Communist since his student
days.
According to Herbert L. Matthews, Fidel was a typical example of a
young Cuban of good background who, because of lack of parental control
or real education, became a full-fledged gangster. After graduation
in
1950, he began a law practice, defending men and women who were
considered victims of social injustice. At this time, Fidel was standing
for
the election to the House of Representatives of Havana. General Batista
staged a garrison revolt at this time, and Fidel fled. Fidel was later
caught
and arrested. For some unknown reason, Batista gave amnesty to all
political prisoners. Since Batista spared Fidel’s life, he is said
to have
been more civilized that Castro. Although Batista slaughtered the students
in the July 26th attack and the thousands of Cubans were killed during
the
insurrection, it is so conveniently forgotten. Once free, Fidel went
on with
his revolutionary activities.
Fidel was not insane, yet his character was built upon such complexities,
such contradictions, and such unpredictability. According to Matthews,
Castro was forced to take the Cuban Revolution into the Communist
camps, by the American policies. Khrushchev supposedly said to
Kennedy, "Fidel is not a Communist, but you are going to make him one."
Castro eventually gained popular support, because he was acting for
the
good of the people. Batista fled the country in 1959, and Castro assumed
power. According to Dr. Suarez, Fidel was possessed by a love of power
so total, that he was averse to delegating any of the power to even
the most
loyal subordinates. Castro and Batista share some similarities. Both
were
ruthless and hungry for all the power in their country, however; both
did
not see morality on the same terms. Castro demonstrated some dangerous
gifts. Yet, those gifts have enabled Castro to rule successfully for
the last
three decades. Jaime Benitez says that Castro has been successful,
because he’s believed every word that he’s said.
Fidel Castro was not only the Cuban Revolutionary we know
him to be. He was the victim of political conformity. Foreign policy considerations
determined Castro's conversion to communism and the transformation
of
Cuba into a communist state. The Soviet Union was willing to support
Cuba in the time of need. Cuba did not become Communist for the people.
They did not turn to Communism because of an infatuation with Marxism
and Leninism, on Castro's part. They turned to Communism because of
Soviet nuclear power. (See Cuban Missile Crises) Since then we've
known Castro to be a mad monster, because he didn't embrace American
policies over Cuba. Our image of Castro was created at the time of
the
executions. When Castro came into office, he failed to restore democracy.
Castro made many decisions that led to serious tensions with the United
States. This tension eventually gave birth to a relationship between
the
Soviet Union and Cuba. In 1961, America attempted to overthrow Castro,
but was unsuccessful. (See the Bay of Pigs) Since then he has
successfully been in power for three decades.
