Fidel Castro, commonly known as 'El Jefe' (the chief), was a Cuban revolutionary and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008. He was a major figure in the Cuban Revolution and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Castro was also a key figure in the Cold War, leading Cuba into a close alliance with the Soviet Union. He was a controversial figure, both domestically and internationally, due to his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses.