Fidel Castro
Born 1926 · Age 99
Cuban revolutionary and politician; leader of Cuba (1959–2008). Prime Minister (1959–1976), President (1976–2008), First Secretary of the Communist Party (1965–2011).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Birán, Oriente, Cuba
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz born out of wedlock at his father's farm near Birán.
Sent to live with his teacher in Santiago de Cuba
At age six Castro was sent to live with his teacher in Santiago de Cuba.
Baptised into Roman Catholic Church
Castro was baptized at age eight, enabling attendance at certain Catholic boarding schools.
Transferred to El Colegio de Belén (Havana)
Castro transferred to the Jesuit-run El Colegio de Belén in Havana and excelled in sports.
Formally recognized by his father; name changed to Castro
At about 17 Fidel was formally recognized by his father Ángel Castro and his surname was changed to Castro.
Began law studies at the University of Havana
Enrolled in the School of Law; became active in student politics and anti-imperialist activism.
Joined Partido Ortodoxo (Cuban People's Party)
Castro joined Eduardo Chibás' reformist Partido Ortodoxo, beginning formal political activity.
Joined expedition against Trujillo (Dominican Republic)
In June 1947 Castro joined a planned expedition aiming to overthrow Rafael Trujillo; invasion was stopped by government action.
Married Mirta Díaz-Balart
Marriage to Mirta Díaz-Balart (from a wealthy family); connected Castro to Cuban elite circles.
Participated in Bogotá riots (Bogotazo)
Led a Cuban student group to Bogotá; was involved in the street unrest after the assassination of Jorge Gaitán.
Birth of son Fidelito
Mirta Díaz-Balart gave birth to Fidelito (Fidel Ángel Castro Díaz-Balart) in September 1949.
Graduated as Doctor of Law
Completed law degree at the University of Havana in September 1950 and began practicing law.
Formed clandestine 'The Movement'
Organized an underground group (later MR-26-7) to oppose Batista; published El Acusador and recruited thousands.
Batista's coup cancels elections
General Fulgencio Batista seized power in a March 1952 coup, cancelling planned elections in which Castro was a candidate.
Renamed group the 26th of July Movement (MR-26-7)
While imprisoned, Castro renamed his revolutionary organisation to commemorate the Moncada date.
Published 'History Will Absolve Me' (speech text)
The trial speech was printed and widely distributed as 'History Will Absolve Me', becoming a key manifesto of the revolution.
Attack on Moncada Barracks
Led ~165 revolutionaries in assault on Moncada barracks near Santiago de Cuba; attack failed and many were killed or captured.
Moncada trial begins
122 defendants were put on trial; Castro acted as his own defence counsel and drew attention to army torture.
Sentenced to 15 years; delivered 'History Will Absolve Me'
Castro was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and delivered a famous speech that was later published as 'History Will Absolve Me'.
Held in Presidio Modelo (Isla de Pinos)
Imprisoned in the modern Presidio Modelo where he studied widely and organized within prison.
Met Ernesto 'Che' Guevara in Mexico
In Mexico Castro and his brother linked up with Che Guevara and other exiles; guerrilla training followed.
Released in amnesty; went into exile in Mexico
Batista's government granted amnesty; Castro left for Mexico and continued planning the revolution with Raúl and others.
Established guerrilla base in Sierra Maestra
Survivors (including Castro, Raúl, Che) retreated to Sierra Maestra and began protracted guerrilla campaign against Batista.
Landing of the Granma expedition
Castro and 81 men landed on Cuba's eastern coast aboard the yacht Granma; most of the expedition was killed or captured.
Fall of Santa Clara (Che Guevara led attack)
Capture of Santa Clara by rebel forces under Che Guevara was pivotal in collapsing Batista's military resistance.
Batista flees Cuba; revolution triumphant
Fulgencio Batista fled the country; Castro's forces effectively seized control of Cuba.
Castro enters Havana
Castro arrived in Havana after the revolutionary victory and was celebrated by supporters.
Sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba
Castro assumed the office of Prime Minister (premiership began 16 February 1959).
Rents reduced for low-income households
Castro ordered rents halved for those paying under $100/month to boost purchasing power and social welfare.
First Agrarian Reform Law enacted
Castro appointed head of INRA and signed the First Agrarian Reform restricting landholdings and expropriating large estates.
Nationalization of U.S.-owned assets (Oct 1960)
In October 1960 INRA and the government nationalized hundreds of U.S.-owned businesses and properties; major expropriations followed.
CIA overthrow budget authorized ($13M)
Eisenhower secretly authorized the CIA to develop a plan to overthrow Castro, providing a budget of approximately $13 million.
Soviet trade agreement and $100M loan
Soviet deputy premier Anastas Mikoyan agreed a trade deal for sugar and supplies, backed by a reported $100 million loan/credit.
U.S. imposes partial trade embargo
US prohibited the majority of exports to Cuba on 13 October 1960; relations deteriorated rapidly.
Creation of Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)
CDRs established as neighborhood organizations; eventually involved an estimated 80% of the population.
Further nationalization of US companies
On 25 October 1960 a further ~166 U.S. companies operating in Cuba had premises seized and nationalized.
Awarded Lenin Peace Prize
Castro received international leftist honours including the Lenin Peace Prize (circa 1961).
Estimated CIA assassination attempts begin accumulating (~600+ total estimate)
Over decades the Cuban government reported hundreds of assassination attempts against Castro (estimates widely cited ~600+).
US severs diplomatic relations
Diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba were broken on 3 January 1961.
Castro declares Cuba a socialist state
In mid-April Castro publicly proclaimed the revolution to be socialist (shortly before the Bay of Pigs invasion).
Bay of Pigs Invasion repelled; prisoners exchanged for $25M in food/medicine
CIA-backed invasion by exiles (Brigade 2506) was crushed; captured invaders returned in exchange for medical supplies and food valued at about $25 million.
US imposes full trade embargo
On 7 February 1962 the United States imposed a full trade embargo on Cuba.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviet nuclear missiles were placed in Cuba; a 13-day standoff with the U.S. in October brought the world close to nuclear war.
State visit to USSR; Order of Lenin and honorary doctorate
Visited USSR (April 1963), awarded the Order of Lenin and an honorary doctorate from Moscow State University.
Consolidation into Cuban Communist Party
Castro merged revolutionary organizations into a single Communist Party (1965), centralizing political control.
Became First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba
On 3 October 1965 Castro became First Secretary (most senior position in Cuba's single party), a role he maintained until 2011.
Founded Organization for Solidarity with the Peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America (OSPAAL)
In January 1966 Castro helped found an international solidarity organisation to promote revolutionary causes.
Cuban troops aid allied forces internationally (Yom Kippur War support)
Cuba sent military/advisory support to allied states in several conflicts (e.g., supporting allies around 1973).
Sent expeditionary forces to Angola
Cuban troops were deployed to support the MPLA in the Angolan Civil War beginning in 1975.
Became President of the Council of State (President of Cuba)
Under a new constitution (1976) Castro became President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers (official head of state), shifting from prime minister.
Became Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement (1st term)
Castro served as Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement from 10 September 1979 to 6 March 1983.
Mariel Boatlift begins (mass emigration)
From April to September 1980 Cuba allowed a mass exodus via Mariel; about 125,000 people left the island.
Dissolution of the Soviet Union; start of the 'Special Period'
The Soviet collapse removed major subsidies and trade, triggering an economic downturn in Cuba known as the Special Period.
Daughter Alina Fernández sought asylum in U.S.
One of Castro's daughters publicly sought asylum and became a critic of his government (1993).
Havana ends ban on use of U.S. dollars
Economic measures in 1993 included legalising use of the US dollar to bring in foreign currency after Soviet collapse.
1994 'Raft Crisis' — mass exodus by sea
Over 30,000 Cubans fled the island on makeshift rafts, prompting the US-Cuba migration agreement.
U.S. Helms-Burton Act signed
U.S. law (Helms-Burton) signed on 12 March 1996 to penalize foreign companies investing in Cuba.
Elián González affair dominates relations (1999–2000)
High-profile international custody and diplomatic dispute over young Cuban boy Elián González.
Near-collapse at public rally
Castro was helped off stage after near collapse at an open-air rally outside Havana, raising health concerns.
Leads mass parade estimated at 1.2 million
Castro led a crowd estimated at 1.2 million in a parade to celebrate the revolution.
Re-elected by National Assembly for another term
On 6 March 2003, Castro was confirmed by parliament for another five-year term as president of Council of State.
Crackdown on dissidents (2003 arrests)
A government crackdown in March 2003 saw dozens of independent journalists and activists arrested and imprisoned.
Public fall injures Castro (knee & arm)
Castro tripped and fell after a speech, shattering his left kneecap and breaking his right arm, signalling growing frailty.
Release of a small group of political prisoners
In November 2004 Cuba released several political prisoners (half-dozen) as a gesture to the EU.
Transferred presidential duties to Raúl Castro (health)
For medical reasons Castro temporarily ceded powers to Vice President Raúl Castro after surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding.
80th birthday celebrations postponed for recovery
Birthday celebrations postponed in August 2006 as Castro continued recovery from surgery.
Autobiography and memoirs published (various essays & volumes)
In the late 2000s and early 2010s Castro published essays and volumes of memoirs (collections such as 'Reflections' and memoir volumes).
Began publishing 'Reflections of the Commander-in-Chief'
While largely off the public stage Castro began a series of essays on international affairs titled 'Reflections'.
Live telephone broadcast to Hugo Chávez
Castro participated by telephone in a live broadcast with ally Hugo Chávez on 14 October 2007.
Published essay saying he would not cling to power
Castro published an essay stating he did not intend to hold on to power forever.
Officially resigned as President of Cuba
On 19 February 2008 Castro announced he would not accept another term; Raúl Castro was then elected president by the National Assembly.
Formal end of presidential term (24 Feb 2008)
Castro's formal last day in office as President/Council of State was 24 February 2008, succeeded by his brother Raúl.
Public visit to National Centre for Scientific Research
In July 2010 Castro made a rare public visit, signalling occasional continued involvement in national affairs.
Stepped down as First Secretary of the Communist Party
April 2011 Castro relinquished the First Secretary post; Raúl Castro succeeded him, ending Fidel's formal party leadership.
Met visiting world leaders (e.g., Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) and Pope's audience arranged
Although retired from day-to-day power, Castro met visiting heads of state (e.g., Iran's Ahmadinejad) and received visitors including a papal audience arranged in March 2012.
Published 'Brother Obama' letter
In March 2016 Castro published a 1,600-word letter in Granma responding to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Cuba.
Addressed Communist Party Congress; said he was dying soon
In April 2016 a frail Castro told the Congress that he would soon die and urged members to continue his vision.
Died in Havana
Fidel Castro died on 25 November 2016 at age 90; Raúl Castro announced his death on state television.
State rally in Havana; national mourning declared
Thousands paid tribute in Havana; nine days of national mourning were declared and international leaders attended rallies.
Buried at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, Santiago de Cuba
Castro's ashes were interred at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery near José Martí's burial site on 4 December 2016.
Key Achievement Ages
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