Real Dictators Fidel Castro Part 7: Che Guevara in the Jungle
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Jun 10, 2025 
Michael Bustamante, an Associate Professor at the University of Miami, and Lillian Guerra, a Professor at the University of Florida, delve into the surreal landscape of Fidel Castro's Cuba. They discuss Castro's vision of creating a new socialist identity through revolutionary education and agricultural reforms. The conversation touches on Che Guevara's ideological struggles and tragic exit from Cuba, as well as the bizarre phenomenon of the iconic 'Cuban super cow.' The episode highlights the oppressive atmosphere of surveillance and the ironic twists of Castro's grand ambitions.
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Castro's Sister Publicly Defects
- Juanita Castro, Fidel's sister, publicly denounced Cuba as a prison before fleeing in 1964.
- She once supported Fidel but now criticizes his oppressive regime.
Lisa Howard's Long Chat with Fidel
- Lisa Howard, an American journalist, secured a six-hour conversation with Fidel Castro in 1963.
- Their discussion ranged from the US Constitution to existentialism, ending with mutual fascination.
Creating the "New Cuban"
- Castro aimed to create a "new man" for Cuba through revolutionizing individuals.
- He believed reshaping citizens into mini-Fidels was critical to the revolutionary project's success.