"Just for the record, Castro apologised for his treatment of gays . While this doesn't mean that what he did was all fine now, it shows that he is at least remorseful and has stopped persecuting people based on their sexuality. In 1992 he told a Sandinista official:

""I'm not going to deny that, at a certain point, this machista thing,
influenced the approach that was taken toward homosexuality. I personally 
you are asking me my personal opinion  do not suffer from this type of
phobia against homosexuals. Truly, in my mind, that's never been there and I
have never been in favor nor have I promoted [homosexuality], nor have I supported [laws against homosexuality].""

I don't see homosexuality as a phenomenon of degeneration, but rather I see
it in another way. The approach has been of another sort: a more rational
approach, considering the tendencies and natural things of the human being,
who simply must be respected. This is the philosophy with which I view these
problems. I think that there has to be consideration shown toward the family
that suffers these situations. I would hope that the families would have another
mentality, that they would have another approach when something of this sort
happens. I am absolutely opposed to any form of repression, disdain, contempt
or discrimination with respect to homosexuals. That's what I think."" И]] 12:15, Aug 19, 2004 (UTC) 

"