In 1898, Spain relinquished control of Cuba to the United States.  On May 20, 1902, the United States granted Cuba its independence (with some strings attached).  Since that time, Cuba has been ruled by authoritarian political and military figures to took power and maintained power by force. 

On January 1, 1959, as a result of years of plotting and at least one failed attempt, Fidel Castro ran Fulgencio Batista out of the country and ceased power over Cuba.  He declared Cuba a socialist state on April 16, 1961, and began his reign of terror – executing c. 3,200 people between 1959-1962.

Today, Cuba is a totalitarian communist state controlled by General Raul Castro.  Raul replaced his brother, Fidel, as Chief of State, President of Cuba, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces on February 24, 2008.  The Communist Party is the only legal political party recognized by Cuba’s Constitution.  This party monopolizes all areas of Cuban life.  It sucks to live in Cuba, I’m just sayin’!