About Me
My name is Fidel Castro Ruz, and I am the President of Cuba. I grew up on my father's sugar plantation, not by choice. Being the rebel that I was, I had already organized a strike for the sugar workers on my father's plantation by the time that I was 13. My parents were as dumb as rocks, but they decided that I should be more intelligent, so they sent me to the Jesuit Boarding School. I hated all of the strict discipline there, but loved the sports. I was dependant on baseball, running, and soccer, and eventually given the award for "Cuba's All-Around School Athlete". It was a very important accomplishment for me as I was much more into sports than into academics. I then became a lawyer in Havanna, only representing the poorest people, obviously not making much money (I had a soft spot for the unfortunate). Because of this I resented the people that had tons of money, such as American businessmen that thought they ran the country. In 1947, I joined the Cuban People's Party, intrigued by their campaign against poverty, low wages, unemployment, corruption, and injustice; all of the things that you expect a government to be against. In 1952, I became a candidate for Congress for the Cuban People's Party. I was showing off my public speaking skills, and running the show, and the People's party was expected to win the campaign. However, during the campaign, Fulgencio Batista came in and (of course with the help of an army) took over the country. I didn't stand for this. I planned an attack on the "Moncada Army Barracks" with an army of 123 men and women. I am sad to say that the attack was a disaster as 8 died, and soon after 80 more died after being captured. I was also captured and ordered to be executed by Batista. I lucked out, though, as the guard instead sent me to a civilian prison. I then lucked out again, skipping out on a poisoning at the prison that Batista also ordered. The guard refused, and exposed Batista's plan to the world. Batista, for the sake of the world's opinion, dropped the order. I was finally put on trial for the attack charged with "organizing an army uprising" (haha). During the trial, I used the time to make a speech about all of the problems in Cuba and how they should be fixed-which was later made into a book, "History Will Absolve Me". I was found guilty, and sentenced to 15 years, however only serving two. Over the years, I planned many more attacks against Batista, hoping to overthrow him and his government. None were successful except the last one called the "July 26 Movement". I got much support for it from several men including Che Guevara, and Juan Almeida. It began in 1956, and ended in 1959 with the long-awaited fleeing of Batista. As the new leader, I made many much needed changes, and made many new laws. I cut rents by up to 50 per cent for low wage earners, I confiscated property owned by Batista and his ministers, I nationalized the telephone company and I reduced the rates 50 per cent, I redistributed the land amongst the peasants (including the land owned by my family), and I abolished separate facilities for blacks and whites. I also made new laws that coincided with my personal morals and values. I strongly believe that prostitution, homosexuality, drugs, alcohol, and gambling are sins and evil. So I got rid of the temptations by passing laws to close down casinos and clubs. I even went as far as to force the Mefia members that were involved with these places out of the country. I have helped Cuba more than anyone knows, and nobody appreciates it as much as they should. The U.S. just cries about the land that I gave to the peasants that they claim as "their's" so they refuse to send us the technology and technicians needed for our economy. However, they can't just expect me to sit back and watch, so I fought back. I nationalized their property that was worth $850 million, and made more agressive policies towards them. They were also mad at me for executing the people responsible for all of the tortures and executions that were made during Batista's rule. I stand by my actions. Over the years, they have tried to run me out, and bring me down, but they have only succeeded in decreasing my economy. Guess what? I'm still here.
