Fidel Castro's bearded rebels had just ousted Fulgencio Batista's regime, and the U.S. was eager to establish a connection with the new government. But Castro's communist leanings had Washington worried. Still, in a calculated move, the United States officially recognized the new Cuban government, hoping to sway Castro away from Soviet influence. This diplomatic gamble would have far-reaching consequences for Cold War politics and U.S.-Cuba relations.