Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader who ruled Cuba for nearly five decades, was one of the defining figures of the Cold War, defying successive US administrations and surviving hundreds of reported assassination attempts.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Castro’s birth, a new RT documentary looks back at his rise to power, his confrontation with Washington, and the ideas that shaped Cuba under his rule.

A key Soviet ally in the Western Hemisphere, Castro stood at the center of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Under his rule, Cuba endured decades of US economic pressure while making major advances in healthcare, science, and education.

The film also explores Castro’s historic ties with Moscow and the legacy of a leader whose influence reached far beyond his Caribbean island.

Watch on RT.