The death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro yesterday has caused Tom Morello to speak in favor of him. On social media, the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and Prophets of Rage remembered him as a champion of the poor and recalled his trip to Cuba in 2005.

“In Cuba Audioslave visited former country club turned free school for gifted musicians. #RIPFidel #Vivalarevolucion,” he wrote on Twitter.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, Morello wrote that although he didn’t always agree with Castro, “there is ample reason why he is vilified in the U.S. and yet remains a huge hero throughout the Third World. By defying Yankee imperialism for 50 years, instituting the best healthcare, child immunization and literacy systems in the Western Hemisphere (surpassing the U.S. and Canada), exporting doctors to country's in need all over the globe (the Bush administration turned down his offer to send medical teams to New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina), and being an unrepentant advocate of the poor and exploited it is no surprise that millions will mourn his passing.”

Castro ruled Cuba from 1959 until 2006, at which point his brother Raul took control. He installed a Communist regime that survived an attempt by the CIA to overthrow him, an economic embargo and numerous plots to assassinate him. In 1962, the world was brought to the brink of nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviets after it was discovered that the Russians were installing nuclear missile sites in his country.

Two years ago, the Obama administration took steps to normalize relations with Cuba after 65 years. Back in March, Obama became the first U.S. president to visit the country since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

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