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50 Years On: Revisiting Cuba's Revolution
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by Rhonda J Mangus | December 31, 2008 at 05:48 am
652 views | 53 Recommendations | 22 comments
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Launching one of the most successful guerilla campaigns in history, Fidel Castro came to power 50 years ago in Cuba.
Operating out of the Sierra Maestra, a densely forested mountain range on the eastern tip of Cuba, his lightly armed rebel fighters defeated a US-equipped standing army complete with aircraft, tanks and artillery.
Yet the revolution was almost stillborn. The initial crossing by Fidel and his fighters from Mexico in 1956 aboard the boat Granma went horribly wrong and just 12 of the original rebels survived an early ambush.
Fidel Castro and his brother Raul, along with the legendary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, took refuge in the mountains.
From this remote, rugged terrain they forged a new fighting force which in a little over two years had toppled the dictator Fulgencio Batista, who flew into exile on 1 January 1959.
CUBAN REVOLUTION MAPPED 
Follow the rebels' progressEliecer Tejeda was one of their early recruits. At the age of 19 he had left his father's farm at the base of the mountains to join the rebels' forces.
"Batista's troops were harassing all the young people here. I was beaten by the troops so decided to go underground and join the guerrillas," he says.
Fidel's former headquarters, La Comandancia de La Plata, is now designated a national monument.
Today there is a paved road which takes you most of the way up into the mountains. But the final 3km (1.9 miles) of steep narrow trails can only be covered on foot or by mule.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (22)
at 08:29 on December 31st, 2008
Wow, fifty years...
at 13:17 on December 31st, 2008
Fidel came to NYC right after taking power and gave a long rambling talk to the Americans. I don't recall who was in the audience, but it was on TV and Fidel spoke in English. I remember the laughter he received. Then he went to Moscow and they didn't laugh, and he spoke English no more .
at 14:45 on December 31st, 2008
Fairbanks, perhaps you are thinking of Dr. Castro's speech before the United Nations on 26 September 1960.
at 14:51 on December 31st, 2008
Thank you to everyone who commented, read, uploaded photos, and/or recommended this story.
at 17:09 on December 31st, 2008
Excellent story.
After the two Castros die Cuba could change, but not before.
at 18:53 on December 31st, 2008
Thank you, 158! However, I do disagree with, "After the two Castros die Cuba could change, but not before."
In August 2008, I posted Cuba: A New Era . Political change may not be on the agenda for this one party state, but improving Socialism seems to be a top priority for Cuban president, Raul Castro.
at 17:56 on December 31st, 2008
I went to Cuba quite a few times. I also spent many years in many Latino Countries (Caribbean, Central and South America). I was born in Canada, I have no "second agenda" in regard with my preferences to Cuba. But I want to express this point of view: the poor people in Cuba are better off than the ones in the rest of all Americas.... and if you doubt of it, please go to see for yourself... if you want to see some of my recent Cuban pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marie-2008/sets/72157609876664230/
in the mean time .. Fidel was not that wrong.. history will teach that of all of us.. keep your mind open ... BTW I am NOT a communist.
at 19:04 on December 31st, 2008
paspossible, thank you for sharing your point of view and for the link to your recent Cuban photos. I am embedding the link you provided here for the convenience of the readers. Thanks again!
at 19:29 on December 31st, 2008
When I was last in Cuba it was April of 1978 and the mushrooms were in season ...
After six week there I was in full communication with the ocean and the plants and knew for sure the mountain was very, very angry.
In the time it takes for America to come and go this world will barely have taken notice !
at 07:56 on January 1st, 2009
Interesting comment, Juan Matus Jr. (not verified). Thank you!
at 20:13 on December 31st, 2008
They were heady days! When Castro's revolutionaries asked about guns, he said Don't wory, we've got Ideology on our side. They thought it was a new super-weapon And it was!
at 08:12 on January 1st, 2009
Thank you for reading and commenting, gerrypopplestone!
at 05:11 on January 1st, 2009
Find this quote from F. Castro in Vinales (west of Cuba).
It`s neat the station of Vinales.
thomas nicot has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:14 on January 1st, 2009
thomas nicot, thank you for reading, commenting, and the photo that I have translated to mean, "In Cuba, human values have more power than money."
at 05:48 on January 1st, 2009
This photo was taken in mid November 08 in Havana. In a small doorway, a budding retailer had a display of these hats as well as Che t-shirts
abstract nature has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:15 on January 1st, 2009
Thank you for contributing, abstract nature!
at 15:24 on January 1st, 2009
Two photos are taken last December 2008 at the Havana's streets, specifically the first is in the area round Meliá Cohiba Hotel and the second in the bar at the corner of the Plaza Vieja.
at 19:42 on January 1st, 2009
C.Martin, thank you for the photos!
at 16:53 on January 2nd, 2009
I knew nothing really about the Cuban revolution until I watched the movie "The Lost City" starring Andy Garcia. It is a love story that dramatizes the real life of people connected by family but separated by ideology and the choice of different life paths. The story really does depict how Cuba went from the frying pan to the fire. What a beautiful, magical, wonderful place Havana was before the changes brought about by Castro's regime and the reaction by the rest of the world.
at 19:15 on January 5th, 2009
harringtola, thank you for reading, sharing your opinion on "The Lost City" and Havana, and for the recommendation. For readers who have not heard of or viewed the movie, the trailer for "The Lost City" is available here. Thanks again!
at 02:53 on January 10th, 2009
I recently visitied Cuba and although I respect Fidel Castro's ideals, It is obvious that the Cuban people need change. Their world is much too small to seem meaningful.
at 06:06 on January 19th, 2009
Tonalli (not verified), thank you for reading and commenting. I agree that the Cuban people need change, but your belief that "Their world is much too small to seem meaningful." is not something I would agree with. Even though political change may not be on the agenda, improving Socialism appears to be a top priority for Cuban president Raul Castro.