Castro's Role In The Cuban Missile Crisis

The role of Castro in the events that transpired around the Cuban Missile Crisis can justify or point out flaws in the the United States decision to become involved Cuban internal affairs. Much of the world support the United States heroic actions to overthrow Castro because of his socialists government. If the Castro was simplify a figurehead between the Soveit Union and the United States then Castro would have better international standing and the United States action would come into question. In the events leading up to the Crisis Castro’s role seemed to be vital for a few reasons. First, he agreed to Khrushchev’s plan and second the nuclear warheads were sent after Castro adocated for them (source). He did this because he wanted to protect the betterment of his socialist regime in Cuba. This argument does have some validity but it seems highly unlikely that Khrushchev would sent missiles just to
protect a socialist regime. The more probable reason was that Khrushchev wanted to shift the balance of power. Prior to this event the United States had established a military base in Turkey giving them direct access to the Soviet Union (source). Khrushchev saw this action as a way to get back at the United States and level the paying ground. The agreement made later between Kennedy and Khrushchev agreeing to remove the missiles for Cuba if the United States would remove their base in Turkey add to the idea that it was Khrushchev’s plan and not Castro’s. The infamous U2 incident is vital to proving or disproving Castro’s role.
This event happened at a very important time in the crisis where the tensions between the two super powers were on the brink of nuclear war. Khrushchev blamed Castro for the shooting down of the plane because the order came from Cuba (source). If this accusation was true this would heavily implicate Castro in the Crisis because this incident ended the chance for a quick and peaceful diplomatic resolution to the Crisis. A closer look at the evidence proves that the order came from a Soviet officer in Cuba proving that it was not Castro’s doing at all, demising his role in the event. Many will add to Castro’s role claiming that he is general associated with recommending the first nuclear attack on the United States. This may be his greatest role in the Crisis because his advocation for firing the missiles is what heavily contributed to Khrushchev realizing the importance to maintain world peace contributing to a peaceful resolution between the United States and the Soviet
Union. Considering all of the evident the more evident indication for Castro’s role in the Crisis lies in his lack of participation in the negotiation. He was not aware of the Crisis being resolved until he heard Khrushchev’s announcement. The conflict happened in Cuba yet the leader of Cuba did not play a role in helping resolve the solution, makes it clear his role was not large. The ambassordor for the United States in Cuba said that the issue was one only between the two Cold War enemies and had very little to do with Castro. Many United States politicians of the time agreed that the Cuban Missile Crisis was just the location of a Soviet Union United States conflict. Khrushchev on the opposing side blames Castro and his role in the two major events aforementioned, but considering Khrushchev’s way of making claims with no evidence, and the conflicting sources the claims may not be true.