The Bay of Pigs invasion, also known as the Battle of Girón, was a military operation in which exiled Cuban troops, supported by the United States government, invaded Cuba in April 1961, in an attempt to establish a beachhead, form a provisional government to replace that of Fidel Castro, and seek support from the Organization of American States and recognition from the international community.
The invasion against the nascent Revolution, orchestrated by the United States, ended in failure in less than 65 hours. The mercenary landing, held from April 17 to 19, 1961, was completely crushed by the popular militias and the revolutionary armed forces of Cuba.
More than a hundred invading soldiers died, as many militias defending the homeland, and the Cuban army captured 1,200 mercenaries, as well as important war material.
Along the road that crosses the Zapata marshes towards the Bay of Pigs, we can today discover the numerous monoliths erected in honor of the approximately 150 Cubans who died in combat. In Playa Girón we can also admire the museum where such historical events are presented.
On April 16, 1961, Fidel proclaimed the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution during the burial of the victims, the day after the cunning attack on our airports, a blatant prelude to the mercenary invasion of Playa Girón.
Artillery salvos solemnly commemorate this afternoon at the fortress of La Cabaña, 60 years of adherence to the socialist principles of the Cuban Revolution, and the victory at the Bay of Pigs.
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