When and where was Fidel Castro born?
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born out of wedlock on the 13th of August 1926 at his father's farm in Birán, Cuba. His father Ángel Castro y Argiz had migrated to Cuba from Galicia in northwest Spain.
Questions about Fidel Castro
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened during the Moncada Barracks attack led by Fidel Castro?
The attack took place on the 26th of July 1953 but ran into trouble immediately with rebels suffering six fatalities and 15 other casualties while the army suffered 19 dead and 27 wounded. Some rebels were executed without trial after taking over a civilian hospital subsequently stormed by government soldiers.
How did Fidel Castro respond to the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961?
Castro ordered Captain José Ramón Fernández to launch the counter-offensive before taking personal control of it. After bombing the invaders' ships and bringing in reinforcements Castro forced Brigade 2506 to surrender on the 20th of April.
Why did Fidel Castro agree to Soviet nuclear missiles being placed in Cuba?
Although conflicted Castro agreed believing it would guarantee Cuba's safety and enhance the cause of socialism. He urged that Khrushchev should launch a nuclear strike on the US if Cuba were invaded but Khrushchev was desperate to avoid nuclear war.
When did Fidel Castro send troops to Angola and how many were deployed?
At the request of Agostinho Neto Fidel Castro ordered 230 military advisers into Angola in November 1975. When the US and South Africa stepped up their support of the opposition FLNA and UNITA Castro ordered a further 18,000 troops to Angola.