Key moments in Cuba’s history under Castro

January 1, 1959 — Dictator Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba and Fidel Castro’s rebels take power.

February 1960 — Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Anastas Mikoyan visits Cuba, signs sugar and oil deals, first of many pacts over next 30 years.

June 1960 — Cuba nationalises US-owned oil refineries after they refuse to process Soviet oil. Nearly all other US businesses expropriated by October.