Little Known Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Cuba

From 1959 to 2006, Fidel Castro led Cuba with an unbroken grip on power, becoming one of the longest-ruling leaders in modern history. One of his most iconic traits—his thick, untrimmed beard—was born partly out of necessity: after the U.S. embargo disrupted imports, including razors, Castro let his facial hair grow.

Over time, the beard evolved from a practical choice into a powerful symbol of revolutionary pride and endurance. So potent was its imagery that the CIA reportedly devised a covert plan to undermine his image by lacing his shoes with a skin-absorbing depilatory, hoping to make his beard fall out.