The revolutionary leader who played a key role in the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s was Fidel Castro. Alongside other revolutionaries, he led the successful overthrow of the Batista regime, which was characterized by corruption and authoritarianism. Castro's leadership transitioned Cuba into a socialist state, aligning it with communist ideologies and significantly influencing the dynamics of the Cold War in the region. His victory inspired leftist movements across Latin America, altering U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba and leading to significant geopolitical tensions, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.