The significant figure associated with the beginning of the Cuban Revolution is Fidel Castro. In 1953, Castro led an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks, which marked the start of his struggle against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. After years of guerrilla warfare and mobilizing widespread support among the Cuban populace, Castro successfully overthrew Batista's government in January 1959. His leadership established a communist regime in Cuba, prompting significant political and economic shifts within the nation. Castro’s revolution inspired similar movements throughout Latin America and became a focal point during the Cold War, particularly regarding U.S.-Cuba relations.