Fidel Castro controls the lives of 11.1 million people. In fact, daily life for all Cubans is inseparable from his decisions. For better and for worse, Castro has had a long time to make his mark on Cuban society. He is a totalitarian leader who has wielded power longer than any other dictator in the world. By 2003 he had matched wits with ten successive American presidents.

Castro has become indistinguishable from the Cuban power structure. He allows no political opposition. No law exists without his blessing. He is at the helm of the Cuban economy. More than anyone else he ultimately decides what kinds of jobs Cubans will have and how much they will be paid. This is possible because Cuba is a Socialist state, meaning that the government controls the work most Cubans do.

Cuba's dictator...