Fidel Castro (1926-2016) was the leader of the Cuban Revolution, an armed upraising originated after the 26th July Revolutionary Movement, which aimed to end the authoritarian goverment of dictator Fulgencio Baptista. The rebels sailed to the island and conducted their guerrilla activities from Sierra Maestra, a mountain area of very difficult access.
The result of the revolution was the victory of Fidel Castro and his allies, who managed to concentrate popular support for their fight and to conquer the whole country, expelling Baptista and establishing a socialist state the 1st of January of 1959. This government model lasts until today, ruled by Raul Castro, the brother of Fidel, although it had suffered certain modifications.
After the revolution there were important repercusions, both domestic and international. Castro's goverment nationalized all land and established a communist economy. The relations between the US and Cuba were removed for many decades, although in the recent years diplomatic efforts have been made to restart them.
