Castro was a Marxist; America didn't 'drive him into the arms of the Soviets.' Anyone with half a brain, (and Castro has one and 3/4) knew that in the political world of the late 50's an avowed Communist didn't stand a chance in hell with the US regime.
He knew damned good and well what kind of reception he'd get from Ike and any likely successor.
As a matter of fact, his head-butting with the US served to shore up his power. There's nothing like an enemy 50 miles off your shore to give you something to rally around and to distract from the fact that YOU, actually, are the enemy.
Look how Dubya's approval ratings shot up after 9/11. And after he started his little adventure in Iraq.
Castro's gambit was the same.
Blame the enemy at the gates for your impoverishment, not the bearded little tin god in his army fatigues.
Nobody in his right mind would say there was justice for Cubanos at large pre-Castro.
But he's a classic example of 'do anything, even if it's wrong.'
If he's such a benevolent forward-thinking type, how come there hasn't been a free and fair election in 5 decades?