Real Dictators
Fidel Castro Part 2: Shipwrecked in the Swamps
May 6, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Michael J. Bustamante, an expert in Cuban history, explores Fidel Castro's dynamic journey and revolutionary fervor. The conversation touches on Castro's flirtation with Marxism, his audacious swim to the U.S. border, and his burgeoning partnership with the legendary Che Guevara. Listeners will uncover Castro's transition from exile to revolutionary leader, the dramatic events leading to their perilous sea voyage, and the challenges of survival in hostile territory as they plan to overthrow Batista’s regime.
01:02:33
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Quick takeaways
- Castro's failed attack on Moncada solidified Batista's power, highlighting the dangers of internal dissension among anti-Batista factions.
- The financial support from Carlos Prio and the subsequent alliance with Che Guevara were crucial for Castro's revolutionary ambitions.
Deep dives
Meeting Between Prio and Castro
Carlos Prio, the exiled former president of Cuba, meets Fidel Castro in a luxurious hotel in McAllen, Texas, as they both seek to overthrow the dictator Fulgencio Batista. Prio has been dreaming of vengeance since being ousted from power and sees Castro as a potential ally despite their mutual disdain for one another. During their meeting, Castro, now in desperate need of funds to launch his revolutionary plans, receives a substantial amount of cash from Prio. This financial support, which the KGB would later suggest might be linked to the CIA, is crucial for Castro, underscoring the complex alliances formed in the pursuit of power.
