Afonso Dhlakama vs Fidel Castro

Dhlakama was a founding member of RENAMO, an anti-communist rebel group opposed to the FRELIMO government. The group was initially backed by Rhodesia and South Africa, and it launched a brutal civil war against the government.

After Matsangaissa's death, Dhlakama assumed leadership of RENAMO. He transformed the group into a formidable guerrilla force, expanding its operations across Mozambique and prolonging the civil war.

Dhlakama signed a peace agreement with President Joaquim Chissano, ending the 16-year civil war. The accords transformed RENAMO into a political party and allowed Dhlakama to contest elections.

Dhlakama ran for president in Mozambique's first multiparty elections in 1994, losing to Joaquim Chissano. He continued to contest elections in 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014, always losing, which led to periodic accusations of fraud.

After alleging fraud in the 2013 local elections, Dhlakama ordered RENAMO fighters to resume attacks on government targets. The renewed conflict lasted several years, causing casualties and displacement before a new peace deal was signed.

Castro led the 26th of July Movement to overthrow the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista. After a guerrilla campaign, Batista fled on January 1, 1959. Castro became Prime Minister, establishing a socialist state.

Castro's government nationalized all US-owned businesses, including oil refineries, sugar mills, and banks, without compensation. The US responded with a trade embargo that remains in place. This solidified Cuba's socialist economy.

CIA-trained Cuban exiles invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. Castro's forces defeated the invasion within three days. The failure strengthened Castro's position and pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union.

Castro allowed the Soviet Union to station nuclear missiles in Cuba, triggering a 13-day confrontation with the US. The crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. It ended with a US-Soviet agreement to remove missiles.

Castro resigned as President of Cuba due to health reasons, handing power to his brother Ra