The prominent political leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis was President John F. Kennedy. In October 1962, the crisis erupted when the United States discovered Soviet missiles stationed in Cuba, leading to a 13-day confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Kennedy’s administration faced immense pressure to respond to the perceived threat while avoiding escalation into nuclear war. He opted for a naval blockade to prevent further shipments of military equipment to Cuba, coupled with a backdoor negotiation with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. The crisis was ultimately resolved when the Soviets agreed to withdraw their missiles in exchange for U.S. concessions.