“Fidel Castro is one of the most inspiring leaders of the 20th century.” LeaderCentury20th CenturyCastroInspiring LeaderMost Inspiring Author:Tom Gjelten
“Many who later lost faith in Fidel Castro can remember how they once admired the man who needed just a dozen men to launch the Cuban revolution.” MenRememberLostHe ManRevolutionNeededDozenCubanCastroLost FaithCuban Revolution Author:Tom Gjelten
“Democracy's my idea. I do not agree with communists, my acts prove. Free press in Cuba - free ideas, freedom religion belief.” IdeasBeliefDemocracyProveAgreePressesCommunistCubaFree Press Author:Fidel Castro
“Historians debate to this day whether Fidel Castro was a communist from the time he took power or only became one after he was spurned by the United States. What is not disputed is that he was always an autocrat moving ruthlessly against anyone who dared oppose him.” StatesMovingUnitedUnited StatesDebateThis DayCommunistHistorianCastro Author:Tom Gjelten
“As Cuba's leader, Castro answered to no one and allowed no challenge to his authority.” ChallengesLeaderAuthorityCubaCastro Author:Tom Gjelten
“Fidel Castro was not interested in personal enrichment. His supporters say he deployed his enormous authority on behalf of health, education and welfare programs that brought Cuba attention around the world.” WorldAttentionAuthorityProgramEnormousAround The WorldWelfareNot InterestedSupporterBehalfCubaCastroEnrichmentHealth EducationWelfare Programs Author:Tom Gjelten
“Why do some people have to go barefoot so that others can drive luxury cars? Why are some people able to live only 35 years in order that others can live 70 years? Why do some people have to be miserably poor in order that others can be extravagantly rich? I speak for all the children in the world who don't even have a piece of bread.” PeopleWorldYearsChildrenAbleOrderSpeakPoorRichPiecesCarBreadLuxuryBarefoot Author:Fidel Castro
“The collapse of the Soviet bloc ended the massive subsidies that had kept the Cuban economy afloat. The once-vaunted education and health care systems fell into disrepair. Fidel Castro's stubbornness, meanwhile, made political and economic change difficult in Cuba.” MadeCarePoliticalDifficultEconomyEconomicHealth CareMassiveSovietCollapseCubaCubanStubbornnessCastroSubsidiesHealth Care SystemEconomic Change Author:Tom Gjelten