Fidel Castro's Bay of Pigs Victory
Details of the Cuban Leader's Triumph Over the US Invasion of 1961
May 25, 2008
Castro has often stated that he is not a Communist; he has affirmed that he is “entirely democratic” and that “Communism means hatred and class struggle. I am opposed to any form of hatred”, as detailed by Hugh Thomas (1971). Yet the US government treated his revolution of 1959 with hostility. When the Cuban leader initially came to power it was still unconfirmed that he supported Communism, and that the revolution he was leading was indeed Socialist. Looking back, the then CIA deputy director Richard Bissell has said that among US government circles “it became critically important to confirm or disprove this assessment and a CIA representative was sent to meet with (Castro) on the occasion of his trip to the United States in 1959” (1996).
The CIA’s Plan of Action for the Removal of the Castro Government
The Bay of Pigs (Bahia de Cochinos) operation was constructed chiefly by the CIA on President Eisenhower’s instructions. Subsequently the agency began to assemble Cuban exiles largely from Miami, Florida, who had fled Cuba in opposition to Castro’s socialist revolution. A strategy was produced within three months which intended, ultimately, to oust the Castro government.
President Kennedy’s Position Concerning the Proposed Invasion
When John F. Kennedy assumed the presidency in 1961, the planning of the Bay of Pigs expedition had long been in progress. For the new president the venture was unavoidable. Christopher Andrew has stated, typifying the commonly held opinion regarding the venture, that “Eisenhower bequeathed to his successor an intelligence disaster in the making on the coast of Cuba” (1995).
Castro was aware of an impending invasion. In contrast the US government sought to keep American involvement unknown. The invasion took place on April 17, 1961, (when) about 1,400 exiles invaded the Bahia de Cochinos. The exiles being trained in Guatemala were generally confident that they would be triumphant. This was largely due to the belief that the US would provide support in every way, including air and sea cover.
How Fidel Won
Castro wasted no time in repelling the assault. As reported by Time magazine in 1961, although “half of (Castro’s) B-26 (fighter planes) and Sea Furies and four of his T-33 jets were blown up or damaged” in a successful air strike by the counter-revolutionary exiles two days before the invasion, he utilised the remainder of his air force to great success. On April 17, the day of the invasion, Castro “had four jets left and they were armed with rockets. Before the morning was done he had sunk two transports and driven off two others” (Time magazine, Online Archives, 1961). He grouped together out-of-service aeroplanes as bait to fool the attackers and placed his military on high alert. Later, Castro’s superior military strength was evident, when during the invasion it became clear that the brigade was surrounded by 20,000 troops with artillery and tanks.
Without the aid of air reinforcements Brigade 2506, as the invaders were named, stood little chance of success. According to Alfredo Duran, a member the brigade, “the air power was crucial. It made no sense just to establish a beachhead, without backup from the marines” (Thomas, 1971). The decision not to provide it proved to be the critical factor in the ultimate failure of the expedition. Castro was somewhat fortunate that Kennedy lost his nerve and rescinded the order for a second strike which would have eliminated Cuban air capacity. This virtually left the brigade as "sitting ducks" at Playa Giron and Playa Larga. The invasion was defeated in 3 days, with the majority of the defeated combatants taken prisoner by Castro.
Produced by the CIA within three months, its chief architects Richard Bissell and Allen Dulles, the invasion strategy was flawed in numerous fatal areas which in due course were to be its defeat. It proved to be a disaster in every way. Internationally Fidel Castro was seen to humiliate Kennedy and humble the United States. Ever since the invasion Fidel has proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the US, foiling many CIA assassination attempts and in the process becoming an international icon for socialism.
Bibliography
Andrew, C. (1995) For the President’s Eyes Only. Secret Intelligence and the American Presidency from Washington to Bush, London, Harper Collins Publishers
Bissell, R. (1996) Reflections of a Cold Warrior. From Yalta to the Bay of Pigs, Michigan, Book Crafters Inc.
Thomas H. (1971) Cuba or The Pursuit of Freedom, London, Eyre and Spottiswoode (Publishers) Ltd
