Fidel Castro's guerrilla movement overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista, establishing socialist government aligned with Soviet Union and implementing land reform, literacy campaigns, and nationalization of foreign-owned properties. The revolution inspired leftist movements across Latin America while triggering US embargo and Bay of Pigs invasion attempt, positioning Cuba as Cold War flashpoint and model for revolutionary change in developing nations.

Cuban Revolution initially attracted intellectuals including Sartre and Neruda who celebrated anti-imperialist struggle, though many later criticized Castro's authoritarianism. Cuban poets like Nicolás Guillén blended Afro-Cuban rhythms with revolutionary themes, while exile literature by writers like Reinaldo Arenas explored revolution's betrayals, creating complex literary responses to utopian aspirations, political repression, and Caribbean identity under socialism.