prohibitions on life in cuba. as always, castro claimed he knew best. known for his ever present cigar, beard, fatigues and marathon speeches, fidel castro would remain a thorn in the side for ten u.s. presidents. it wasn t a cia that forced him from pow eveer but a botched sth surgery. he turned the reins over to his brother raul. a now weak and informed castro retreated from the spotlight. he made a rare public appearance to call on communist party officials to remain loyal to his revolution after his death. soon i will be like all the rest castro told officials, everyone s turn comes. in cuba, there are few monuments to fidel castro. no streets are named after him unlike other strong men, the cuban leader avoided appearance.