Even though people are much better educated about dictatorship, some things will never change. Dictators have always been around, hopefully though, this will not continue forever. Most of the worst dictators are dead now, like Stalin and Hitler, but there are still many modern day dictators who exist. One of these men is Fidel Castro, leading Cuba. Fidel Castro has ruled for a total of 44 years so far, and it does not seem like the people are willing to do what would need to be done to get rid of him.After the Cuban Revolution many changes occurred in Cuba. Cuba was once a corrupt dictatorship, now and for the past 44 years Castro has led a communist government. Before Castro overthrew Batista, Batista ran an unfair economy for the rich. Officials took pay offs, keeping the majority of the people thought of as invisible. "Protestors of Batista were the embargo on Cuba, for Communism is no longer a threat, this made the people of Cuba suffer even more, just for their beliefs on the government." (Jason Rosenweig 1).Fidel Castro took control in 1959, his support was enormous, but so were the expectations of him. Mostly because of Batista's rule, Castro was welcomed as a leader, and people expected changes from him. "In its early phase, Castro's revolutionary regime included moderate politicians and democrats; gradually, however, its policies became radical and confrontational." (Owen Tripp 1). He became prime minister of Cuba in 1961 and shortly after that cancelled elections and suspended Cuba's constitution. Castro ruled without using the 1940 constitution until 1976, when the nation enacted a new constitution that allowed limited electoral participation by Cuban voters. Cuba's National Assembly elected Castro president of the country in 1976.Castro's dictatorship represents the characteristics of totalitarianism, for one thing he came to power by a revolution, he has no opposition, and he does not allow free elections, among other things. Besides not allowing free elections, "Castro placed the press under strict censorship, and sentenced to death a number of his political enemies." (George Welling 1). In the 1999 country reports on human rights practices, this was said about Castro: ``Cuba is a totalitarian state controlled by President Fidel Castro, who is chief of state, head of government, first secretary of the Communist Party and commander in chief of the armed forces. President Castro exercises control over all aspects of Cuban life through the Communist Party and its affiliated mass organizations, the government bureaucracy and the state security apparatus."(The Miami Herald 1)As far as human rights go, In Cuba it just seems to be getting worse and worse. In that same human rights report was this comment: ``Cuba's human-rights record further deteriorated over the past year. . . . Cuban authorities routinely harassed, threatened, arbitrarily arrested, detained, imprisoned and defamed human-rights advocates and independent professionals.'' (The Miami Herald 1). Also in Cuba, there are several unjust and unnecessary restrictive laws. Lending books, for example, is a crime, and any independent organizations are not allowed. Law also forbids freedom of speech and association."90 percent of the general population despise the regime. The rest is part of Castro's privileged ruling elite who, for personal economic and security reasons, are afraid of the consequences inherent in the collapse of the regime. His longevity is not a factor of popular support." (Blazquez 1). He holds most of his power because of repression and fear. Over 15,000 Cubans have been executed by firing squads, thousands more have died at sea escaping, tens of thousands have been guests of his concentration camps and almost 2 million - out of 11 million - have escaped to exile. A big reason why Castro is still in power, despite his people's feelings may be the lack of outside support. Not that there are not several groups supporting the downfall of Castro, however there is not enough action going on. Apparently there is not a lot of action inside of Cuba either, considering the fact that there has only been one minor incident (as far as anti-government rebellions go), so it would seem that they would not risk their lives just to get rid of Castro."Contrary to common belief, liberation from Castro's tyranny is not a difficult thing to accomplish, but is has a high price. To do it, Cubans don't need freedom of association or civil liberties. They don't even need guns. They only need to supply their blood." (Gonzalez 1) A spontaneous rebellion would force the Castro regime to bring tanks to Havana's streets and would end in several thousand Cubans killed by Castro's army. This could force people not to believe that Castro does have popularity. Unfortunately, Cubans seem to value life more than freedom, and they are not willing to pay this price for it.So the real question seems to be, when will Castro's power be taken away? In truth, nobody knows the correct answer, or even the exact way that this could happen. After 44 years though, it is a surprise that he still has control. Hopefully someday before Castro dies, he will be taken down, so the lives of all Cubans can be improved. Otherwise Castro's death just may be the only way for this horrible dictatorship to come to an end.
