So, what you are arguing is that because he improved healthcare and education (and I don't doubt he did), that absolves almost 60 years of political oppression, the mass murder of his political opponents, and the massive economic decline of a country that was once one of the richest in Central and South America. And you are accusing me of examining this through my own biases? I thought I made it clear that Batista was brutal, and it was right that he was removed. I'm not the one defending a brutal mass murdering dictator's record. Quite the opposite, I am condemning the behavior of both political camps.

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

For prehaps the first time ever I agree with Hoof Hearted here.

Castro and Che Guevara ruined that country and the peoples lives in it. People like Corbyn and Livingstone who have praised him are utterly wrong and have probably never been to Cuba.

When the revolution took place they were very young men in a post war world seeking equality - but they thought it was acceptable to kill people to achieve those aims. There were many others seeking a peaceful revolution instead.

They use teaching people to read and training up doctors to distract bleeding heart liberals in the outside world to distract them from the face that the average wage is $20 a month, but that is skewed by a few people who make western wages so the average person is on much less. Their is a media blackout, more police per head than almost anywhere in the world, the government take 80% of any farmers produce, and there are neighbourhood watch organisations who report people if they might be having counter revolutionary ideas.

Idealistically, they are confused. Instead of creating equality for all they have just stopped anyone from being rich (except the likes of Hemmingway) and just put everyone into absolute poverty..... but at least they can read the government controlled media.

I don't know much about their education system, but it is praised by both the UN economic forums such as the world bank.

As for healthcare, it has long been reported, by groups like Human Rights Watch, that the poor don't get effective health care in Cuba, and the pat they are largely excluded from top quality care. Only the elites, party members, and rich foreigners get good quality care.

I suppose that was worth the thousands of political murders, disappearances, jailings, and the exiling of political opponents, homosexuals, etc. at least those remains can read, and some can get health care. That makes it all ok, right?

If you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Last time he had a biggie,was when Samantha Fox was on page 3

Do agree with you - and Trumps arrival - it was ok with Obama easing in changes not revenge.

Just for the record

Great beaches,great weather,great cigars,great looking women,...cheap place to go.Love Havana,the old cars and the Tropicana Club.

What the politics in that country are ... I haven't got the faintest,frankly I don't really care.