They broke ranks with Mr. Castro, putting themselves and their families at risk. Others, from the safety of the United States, publicly accused Mr. Castro of betraying the revolution and called him a tyrant. As Mr. Castro consolidated power, eliminated his enemies and grew increasingly autocratic, the Cuban people referred to him simply as Fidel. The Roman Catholic Church excommunicated Mr. Castro for violating a 1949 papal decree against supporting Communism. The United States economic embargo, imposed by Eisenhower and widened by Kennedy, has continued for more than five decades.

Source: International New York Times November 26, 2016 05:59 UTC