Fidel Castro

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (Spanish: [fiˈðel ˈkastro]; born August 13, 1926), more commonly called simply Fidel Castro, is a Cuban Socialist Revolutionary and former President of Cuba. He also was the leader of the 26th of July Movement which led the Cuban Revolution against the Batista regime. As such, he was chosen to become the first leader of the new, Socialist, Cuba. He continued to lead the Cuban people in socialist spirit until 2008, when he was forced to resign due to his health issues. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Raúl Castro.

Often critiqued by many western capitalist governments as a dictator, Fidel Castro amassed and maintained vast popularity in the Cuban people. As such, he has gained popularity among all kinds of socialists from democratic socialists to Stalinists. There are also many followers of his own interpretation of Marxism, called Castroism.