Fidel Castro's Astounding Survival Story

Fidel Castro Survived 600 Assassination Attempts

On November 25, 2016, Fidel Castro died of natural causes at the age of 90 in Havana, Cuba. According to declassified CIA documents, Castro had survived an estimated 600 assassination attempts throughout his life, with the first attempt occurring in 1958. Cuban historian and Castro biographer, Juan Antonio Blanco, notes that the attempts were often amateurish and poorly planned.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Fidel Castro's survival was due to his charisma and popularity among the Cuban people, which made it difficult for would-be assassins to get close to him. The standard story goes that Castro was a larger-than-life figure who was able to evade danger through a combination of luck and intelligence. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complex and often bizarre series of events that unfolded during Castro's lifetime, and it neglects the fact that many of the assassination attempts were actually orchestrated by the CIA and other external forces.

What History Actually Shows

Historian and author, Fabián Escalante, who wrote "The Cuba Project: CIA Covert Operations 1959-1962", reveals that the CIA was behind many of the assassination attempts, including a plot to use a poisoned cigar to kill Castro in 1960. On October 30, 1962, the CIA authorized a plan to use a Mafia hitman to kill Castro, which ultimately failed. According to declassified documents, the CIA also considered using a exploding seashell to kill Castro while he was swimming, as well as a plan to use a poisonous pen to inject him with a lethal dose of toxin. The CIA even recruited a former lover of Castro's to try and poison him, but she was caught and interrogated by Cuban authorities. As historian and Cuba expert, Julia Sweig, notes in her book "Inside the Cuban Revolution", Castro's survival was due in part to the ineptitude of his would-be assassins, as well as the vigilance of his security team. On January 8, 1959, Castro's security team foiled an assassination attempt by a group of anti-Castro rebels, and on March 13, 1961, they uncovered a plot by a group of CIA-backed exiles to kill Castro during a speech in Havana. Through a combination of luck, intelligence, and determination, Castro was able to survive an estimated 600 assassination attempts and live to the age of 90, dying of natural causes in 2016.

The Part That Got Buried

The CIA and US government agencies actively worked to suppress the story of Fidel Castro's numerous assassination attempts, fearing it would undermine their credibility and embarrass their administrations. Declassified documents reveal that officials deliberately withheld information from the public, and in some cases, they destroyed records to conceal their involvement. The mainstream media also played a role in burying this story, as many journalists and news outlets were either intimidated or coerced into downplaying the extent of the assassination attempts. A specific reason for this suppression was the fear of revealing the extent of US involvement in these plots, which would have led to widespread criticism and potential diplomatic fallout. As a result, the full extent of Castro's close calls with death remained hidden from the public eye for decades, and the story was relegated to the footnotes of history.

The Ripple Effect

The failed assassination attempts had concrete consequences for Cuba and its people. The constant threat of violence led to a heightened sense of paranoia and mistrust, resulting in the establishment of a powerful and pervasive security apparatus. This, in turn, affected the daily lives of Cubans, who lived under the constant watchful eye of the government. A specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Cuban government's strict control over the media and internet, which was initially implemented to prevent the spread of anti-government propaganda and potential assassination plots. Today, this control remains in place, limiting the flow of information and restricting Cubans' access to external news sources.

The Line That Says It All

Fidel Castro died on November 25, 2016, at the age of 90, due to complications from diverticulitis, a bowel condition, after surviving 600 documented assassination attempts.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Fidel Castro's life and presidency.