Quick Study: World's Most Dangerous Leaders

An at-a-glance guide to some of the world's worst bullies, autocrats and irritants.

Since before Vlad the Impaler, some politicians have found the dictator's job description just too good to resist: no boss, no back talk, and often all the riches you can steal from your own people. Despite these perks, the despot's rule often ends badly—witness Hitler and Mussolini, among others. In more modern times, even relatively long-term tyrants like Idi Amin and Nicolae Ceausescu eventually felt the wrath of their peoples' revenge. This month, the United Nations marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The nine men listed here, ranging from full-fledged dictators to emerging strongmen, are currently being watched by human rights groups and the U.S. State Department. Look for them to be hoisted by their own petard—or impaled on the broadsword of history—sooner or later.

South-of-the-Border Boss Men
Raúl Castro
Country: Cuba
Came to Power: 2008
He may be new to the role, but Raúl has apprenticed with brother Fidel since the Cuban revolution, the 1959 uprising that saw the murder of thousands and put all private property in Communist hands. Raúl's rise to headman brought no joy to the streets of Havana. There remain some 230 political prisoners in custody, subject to beatings and other inhumane treatment. There is no free press, and unauthorized gatherings of more than three people can lead to jail time. "In terms of human rights violations in Latin America, Cuba is in a league by itself," says Peter DeShazo of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Hugo Chávez
Country: Venezuela
Came to Power: 1998
Despite defeat last year of a national referendum that would have expanded Chávez's powers, El Presidente exercises growing control over every institution in the country, harassing journalists, packing the judiciary, and blacklisting opponents. Flush with petro-dollars, Chávez is rabidly anti-American and now has close ties with Iran and China. The Russians have sold him over $4 billion in arms. Chávez "stepped into Castro's shoes in a big way," says Roger Noriega, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States. "The only thing he hasn't done that Castro did is send his own troops to other countries."

Evo Morales
Country: Bolivia
Came to Power: 2005
More populist than potentate, Morales is no Castro or Chávez. (The Daily Show audience applauded him wildly in September 2007.) But his attempt to redistribute wealth and land has met with violence and brought Bolivia to the brink of civil war. Morales also wants to let the long-oppressed indigenous majority enforce their own legal customs. Rights watchers fear this would green-light lynching and mob justice. His economic ties with Chávez and Iran and his staunch support of often innocent coca-leaf growers do not endear him to the United States, which views him warily.

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