A revolution is a struggle between the future and the past."--Fidel Castro From revolutionary and symbol of strength to Cold War adversary, Fidel Castro was one of the world's most controversial leaders, and perhaps its most enduring. As Cuba's towering and charismatic president for nearly fifty years, Castro's influential leadership captivated allies and enemies alike. By virtue of passionate oration and committed sense of purpose#x97;good or bad#x97;Castro kept the Cuban people devoted and the world enthralled. From his earliest years as a student.