Real Dictators

Fidel Castro Part 10: Emergency on an Airplane

Jul 1, 2025
Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, a Cuban writer and blogger, shares riveting insights into the unraveling of Fidel Castro's regime. He recounts personal encounters with state security, illustrating the climate of fear and repression. The conversation highlights Castro's embarrassing public moments that prompted violent crackdowns. Pardo effectively captures the bittersweet transition of power, evoking the question: can Cuba ever break free from the shadows of its past? As he reflects on societal changes and the longing for freedom, the discussion proves both poignant and thought-provoking.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Mass Rally Silences Protest

  • After a lone protester in Puerto Rico held a sign against Fidel, Havana staged a massive pro-government rally with around a million participants.
  • This demonstrated the regime's readiness to use mass demonstrations to suppress dissent and show strength.
INSIGHT

Fidel's Micromanagement Obsession

  • Fidel Castro was intensely involved in every detail of governance and production, almost like a working demigod.
  • His obsession with control extended even to trivial matters like cow breeding and uniform colors.
INSIGHT

Fidel's Mortal Vulnerability Shocks

  • Fidel Castro's incapacitation and illness revealed the symbolic immortality he had projected over Cuba.
  • His sudden physical frailty shocked many who had seen the revolution and himself as timeless pillars of national identity.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app