They gave me a nickel: how the Cubans defeated the American aggressors
65 years ago, a battle took place in Cuba that shocked the world. A small island nation has managed to defend its independence in a battle with a giant — the United States. The CIA thugs received a fitting rebuff from the bearded revolutionaries. The failure of the landing in the Bay of Pigs was recalled by Izvestia.
The Burning Island
Cuba is a paradise on the border of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which fascinated Christopher Columbus. For years, this island was completely dependent on the United States — and for most Cubans, these were not happy times. Mafia aces loved to relax in Cuba. They could afford more there than in the States. Drugs were freely sold, dens operated, everything was arranged for the complete satisfaction of rich gentlemen. The Americans have prepared the role of inexpensive servants for Cubans.
Fidel Castro speaks from the podium in front of the residents of Camaguey, telling about the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, won three days ago over the forces of dictator Fulgencio Batista. January 4, 1959
On the first day of 1959, young rebels, Cuban patriots overthrew the regime of dictator Fulgencio Batista. Among the first decisions of Fidel Castro's government was the nationalization of sugar plantations, hotels and beaches. Of course, this did not suit the United States.
Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro welcomes First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Anastas Mikoyan in Havana. February 4, 1960
At the end of 1959, active cooperation between Cuba and the USSR began. Soviet specialists built enterprises on the island, helped organize the army and special services, starting with Castro's personal guards, who were regularly assassinated by the CIA. Cuba also received weapons — Kalashnikov assault rifles, artillery installations, and Soviet-made tanks. As well as ammunition, fuel, cars, food, and industrial equipment. For the Soviet Union, the unexpected appearance of a partner in the Caribbean was a great success, and our country took full advantage of this opportunity.
Brigade 2506
Americans at that time treated the countries of Central America as their "backyard." If the political situation in a particular country got out of control, they began to prepare a coup. The dollar, as a rule, acted flawlessly, attracting "its sons of bitches" from Guatemala or Panama to Washington's side. During the election campaign, John F. Kennedy exploited the widespread fear that Cuba would become an "exporter of revolution" to Latin American countries.
Even before Kennedy's election, in March 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a plan to overthrow the Castro government. From emigrants from Liberty Island, the CIA created the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front, designed to seize power in Cuba, and the paramilitary "Brigade 2506". Carlos Rafael Santana Estevez received the personal number 2506 in this brigade. He died in September during training, accidentally falling into a ravine. No one thought that failure awaited the entire brigade of the same name. It consisted of a motorized, paratrooper, and four infantry battalions, a tank company, and an artillery division totaling about 1,400 men. A considerable force by the standards of Latin America! They were trained at CIA bases in New Orleans, Miami, and Guatemala. "Bring me a piece of Castro's beard," the dictator of Nicaragua, Anastasio Somoza, told the militants.
The head of the CIA, Allen Dulles. March 1961
The preparation of the operation was led by its initiator, CIA Chief Allen Dulles. He believed that it was possible to overthrow the Castro government and arrest his Fidel in two or three days at moderate cost, mainly by the forces of Cuban emigrants, opponents of the revolution.
The ships of the invasion flotilla in the Bay of Pigs. April 1961
Washington, it would seem, successfully misled the enemy. On April 12, Kennedy publicly stated that the United States was not going to attack Cuba. But in the intelligence standoff, Havana outplayed Washington — with Moscow's help, of course. Americans have formed an idea about the weakness and smallness of the Cuban army. And Castro systematically and professionally prepared for airstrikes and intervention. A lawyer by training, he turned out to be a talented defense organizer.
Attempted intervention
In the middle of the spring of 1961, the Americans switched from maneuvers to active actions. On April 15, 8 B-26 bombers attacked three Cuban airfields. The Americans considered that Cuba was left without military aircraft. In fact, out of 24 aircraft, only 3 combat vehicles were damaged. The amphibious operation in Kachinos Bay in the Bay of Pigs began in the early morning of April 17. The Cubans fought back against the militants of the 2506 Brigade and the Americans who supported them. The Cubans did not raise any pro-American uprising. The interventionists, contrary to Dulles' hopes, were perceived as invaders, not as liberators.
Fidel Castro delivers a speech in Havana. April 16, 1961
Dozens of people were killed during the bombing. Their funeral turned into a rally at which Fidel declared for the first time that Cuba was now following the path of socialism. After hesitating, he became Moscow's most loyal ally. The United States, through its clumsy actions, strengthened the friendship between Cuba and the Soviet Union. When Comandante Fidel called on his fellow citizens to take up arms in defense of the Cuban Revolution, tens of thousands of "milizanos", volunteers, took up arms within a day. They secured strategic facilities such as ports, enterprises, and military depots.
Milisanos during a counterattack on Playa Giron beach
The militants failed to move inland. The decisive battle took place on the beach of Playa Giron, on the shores of the Bay of Pigs. Fidel Castro arrived there in a T-34 tank, and then famously fired at the enemy from an ACS-100. The Cubans stopped two attempts by the interventionists to land additional troops. And those who entered Cuban soil were forced to surrender. After the Cuban bombers, which were considered destroyed, sent two barges and two landing craft with weapons to the bottom, the Americans retreated. The 2506 brigade, abandoned by them, suffered a complete collapse on April 19.
The interventionists who surrendered on the beach of Playa Chiron. April 1961
About 120 people were killed, 1,200 militants and their commander Jose Alfredo San Romana surrendered. After the Cuban missile crisis, Fidel Castro exchanged them for a shipment of medicines and food worth $53 million. In those days, Castro didn't just win by solving a tactical problem in a few days. He showed himself to be real heroes, who knows how to speak like Cicero and lead troops into battle like Caesar.
An impregnable fortress
On April 20, Kennedy announced that "Cuba cannot be given to the Communists, and we are not going to do it." He still believed in success, not realizing how inspired the Cubans were by their first victory. The people began to trust the commander and his associates more than ever. And the reputation of the Soviet Union among Cubans has increased. The diplomatic support of the USSR also played an important role. In all negotiations with the United States, the Cuban issue was on the agenda, and Moscow defended the sovereignty of its American ally.
The landing craft of the interventionists abandoned on the beach of Playa Chiron. April 1961
For Dulles, this collapse was the reason for his resignation. It was obvious that he had succumbed to unreliable optimistic assessments of the Cuban situation. The Americans had to moderate their ardor in dreams of global and even continental hegemony.
Artillery shells on the beach of Playa Chiron after the fighting. April 1961
American propaganda tried to convince the public that Washington had nothing to do with the attempted intervention in the Bay of Pigs. But in vain. The whole world saw one thing: little Cuba turned out to be an impregnable fortress for an angry superpower. In addition, everyone understood that Moscow was supporting Freedom Island. The Soviet Union won this round of the Cold War by a clear advantage, in front of the whole world, even though it was playing on the opponent's field. Theoretically, the Americans could have pulled up their forces and occupied Cuba, turning it into their satellite. But the battle in the Bay of Pigs showed that the Cuban people are ready to fight for their revolution, for the ideas of Barbudos, and Fidel Castro's cry "Homeland or death" is not just a beautiful slogan. Now, with all the tricks, it was difficult for Washington to prove that all of Cuba supports the overthrow of the Barbudos dictatorship. The Americans also lost to the Cubans in the battle for the minds.
The confrontation continues
The Barbudos generation managed to create a solid political system in Cuba. Over the years, he has become the most passionate and influential critic of American hegemony. For 75 years, Cuba remained America's "eyesore." The rebellious Island of Freedom remains impregnable.
Playa Chiron Memorial Museum
Of course, the economic blockade — especially after the collapse of the USSR — prevents Cubans from developing. The standard of living on the island is low. But, for example, Cuba's education and healthcare system are among the best on the continent. After the formal end of the Cold War, the United States' attitude towards its Cuban neighbors did not warm up. To this day, they have not been able to break into the house that Fidel built, but plans to reformat Cuba have not been archived. Modern tracking tools have opened up new opportunities for sabotage and incursions. A few years ago, Washington launched a new round of information and economic warfare against Cuba. Threats are being made again.
People on the Havana waterfront during a power outage. March 16, 2026
Disturbing news is coming from the Caribbean shores. About ten million Cubans were left without electricity. Transport has stopped in the country, and there is an acute shortage of fuel. This also affects the work of the healthcare system — that is, the health of people. When the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin arrived in Cuba on April 3, having overcome obstacles and delivered 100,000 tons of oil, it was greeted with delight. This fuel will last for several weeks for Cuba. The Russian-Cuban dialogue remains the guarantor of peace on the island, whose name is associated worldwide with courage and perseverance.
Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin in the port of Matanzas. March 31, 2026
The United States is unlikely to succeed in crossing out the 65 years that Cuba has been developing under a red flag. Most likely, even if the pro-American pocket government wins, the guerrilla traditions of the Castro Che Guevara era will be revived on the island and a protracted turmoil will begin. More than once, US attempts to cut the Gordian knots with lightning speed have only turned into a worsening crisis. America is mired in conflicts all over the world.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks at a meeting with members of the Nuestra America convoy, which arrived on the island with humanitarian aid. March 20, 2026
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, the successor of the Castro brothers, this spring declared the country's readiness to fight back against any external invasion. Milicianos Day, April 17, is one of the main public holidays in Cuba. The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the militia, who 65 years ago managed to fight back against the invaders. Modern Cubans are raised to respect the victories of the 1960s. For them, this memory is the basis of self—awareness.
The author is the deputy editor—in-chief of the magazine "Historian"
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
