Numerous Latin American countries have transitioned to more democratic political structures over the past forty years. Pressures from within countries and abroad forced political revolutions that incorporated free elections to fairly represent citizens who previously had no voice in society. However, with the transformation of other countries underway, there are dissident entities in Latin America that refuse to conform to the new political migration. One country in particular, which has no physical geographic connection to Central and South America, has fiercely resisted the clarion call for democracy. That country is Cuba, located ninety miles off the coast of Florida and exists as the antithesis to United States democracy. Cuba's reluctance to succumb to the democratic policies of the United States has made it a special case of socialism. A revolution, transition to socialist belief, and greater economic stability have culminated in a country that appears to be progressing, but stagnant in developing into a functioning polity. The Cuban Revolution, incited after Fidel Castro assumed power in Cuba, aimed to reform most of the policies left behind by dictator Fulgencio Batista. The success of Castro's guerrilla operations laid the foundation for the dismantling of Batista's regime and gave the Cuban people relief from the repressive tactics used by the dictator. Historically, most revolutions take the path of using violence to achieve a new governing order. With Batista gone, members of the “middle class, workers, farmers, foreign investors, the American embassy, ​​and other observers” wondered, “What kind of revolution would this be?” (Skidmore, Smith, & Green, 2010). Castro sough... middle of paper... a great example of what socialism is capable of and what the desires of larger, more developed countries can do to countries that wish to remain independent. Castro's revolution put aside the typical idea of ​​a revolution by focusing on social issues riddling the country with instability, stagnant growth, but placed faith in the Soviet Union for economic support, contradicting the national need for political independence. Works Cited Eckstein, S. (1986 ). The impact of the Cuban revolution: a comparative perspective. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 502-534. Skidmore, T. E., Smith, P. H., & Green, J. N. (2010). Modern Latin America. In T. E. Skidmore, P. H. Smith, and J. N. Green. New York, New York: Oxford University Press Inc.UNICEF, World Health Organization, United Nations Population Division and United Nations Statistics Division