25 Fidel Castro Quotes That Provide Insight Into Cuba’s Former President

Fidel Castro was a Cuban revolutionist and politician who served as Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and President from 1976 to 2008.

Castro was the son of a wealthy Spanish farmer.

While studying law at the University of Havana, he became exposed to leftist ideas like socialism and was particularly influenced by Karl Marx.

There are many Fidel Castro quotes about revolutions and socialism.

Castro participated in rebellions against right-wing governments in the Dominican Republic and Colombia and began planning to overthrow Cuban President Fulgencio Batista.

He spent a year in prison after a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953.

Following his imprisonment, he went to Mexico and formed the revolutionary group July 26 Movement with his brother and Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

When he returned to Cuba, he helped lead the Movement in overtaking Batista’s forces using guerilla warfare.

In 1959, Castro became Cuba’s Prime Minister, assuming military and political control after successfully overthrowing Batista.

Cuba underwent some significant political changes under his administration.

Cuba became a one-party communist state where industry and business were nationalized.

The government took control of the press and the suppressed incidents of internal dissent.

They implemented many socialist reforms throughout society, introducing central economic planning and expanding healthcare.

This led to conflict with the United States, which escalated when Cuba aligned with the Soviet Union.

That is why there are several Fidel Castro quotes that reference the United States.

Don’t forget to also check out these Ernesto “Che” Guevara quotes to ignite your revolutionary spirit.

Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration.

Check out our entire collection of motivational quotes here.

Inspirational Fidel Castro quotes we can all agree on

1. “The people respect and believe in men who fulfill their duty.” — Fidel Castro

2. “Defending peace is the duty of all.” — Fidel Castro

3. “Something must be done to save humanity! A better world is possible!” — Fidel Castro

4. “Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour.” — Fidel Castro

5. “Ignorance is the root of many ills. Knowledge must be the fundamental ally of nations that aspire, despite all their tragedies and problems, to become truly emancipated, to build a better world.” — Fidel Castro

6. “Cynicism is something which has become symbolic of imperial policy.” — Fidel Castro

7. “I have always fought for concrete facts, for justice.” — Fidel Castro

8. “As we know, while our species remains alive, everybody has the sacred duty to be optimistic. Ethically, any other behavior wouldn’t be admissible.” — Fidel Castro

9. “No one even knows one percent of the fabulous history of Man; but thanks to history, we know about occurrences that go beyond the limits of the imaginable.” — Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro quotes about revolution

10. “I began the revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action.” — Fidel Castro

11. “A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past.” — Fidel Castro

12. “A revolution is not a bed of roses. A revolution is a struggle between the future and the past.” — Fidel Castro

13. “The revolution is a dictatorship of the exploited against the exploiters.” — Fidel Castro

14. “No thieves, no traitors, no interventionists! This time the revolution is for real!” — Fidel Castro

15. “A revolution is not a bed of roses.” — Fidel Castro

16. “At times, I’ve referred to Christ’s miracles, and have said, ‘Well, Christ multiplied the fish and the loaves to feed the people. That is precisely what we want to do with the Revolution and socialism.'” — Fidel Castro

17. “To the accusation that Cuba wants to export its revolution, we reply: Revolutions are not exported, they are made by the people.” — Fidel Castro

18. “I am not a communist and neither is the revolutionary movement.” — Fidel Castro

19. “I am Fidel Castro, and we have come to liberate Cuba.” — Fidel Castro

20. “It constitutes a superhuman effort to lead any people in times of crisis. Without them, the changes would be impossible.” — Fidel Castro

21. “Condemn me. It does not matter. History will absolve me.” — Fidel Castro

22. “I will never retire from politics, the revolution, or the ideas I have.” — Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro quotes about the United States

23. “I don’t think it is so difficult to solve the problems between Cuba and the United States; it all depends on whether there is a dialogue, a discussion, or if the prejudices and hatred of people like the extremists and terrorists from the Cuban community, who try to impose their policies, prevail.” — Fidel Castro

24. “The United States tyrannizes and pillages the globalized world with its political, economic, technological, and military might.” — Fidel Castro

25. “Someday, the capitalist system will disappear in the United States, because no social class system has been eternal. One day, class societies will disappear.” — Fidel Castro

What did you learn from these Fidel Castro quotes?

The United States opposed Castro and Cuba’s new form of government.

The US attempted to remove him by assassination, economic blockade, and counter-revolutions.

After the Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961, Castro allowed the Soviets to place nuclear weapons in Cuba, as a way to combat the threat from the US.

This resulted in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Castro also supported anti-imperialist revolutionary groups abroad.

The Cuban government backed the establishment of Marxist governments in Chile, Nicaragua, and Grenada.

These actions made Cuba more of a focus globally than it had been before.

Castro was in power until 2006 when he transferred responsibility to his brother, Vice President Raúl Castro, who was elected as president in 2008.

Castro was the longest-serving non-royal leader in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Castro was a controversial figure who revolutionized an entire country, and people have polarizing views on him and his policies.

Those who supported him saw him as a champion of socialism who secured Cuba’s independence while helping to advance the nation’s interests.

His critics claim he was a dictator whose administration perpetrated human rights abuses and caused many Cubans to flee an impoverished Cuba.

Castro himself claimed, “I am just a man.”

What’s your biggest takeaway from these Fidel Castro quotes and sayings?

Do you have any other favorite quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.