Fidel Alejandro Castro Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Sierra Maestra Manifesto

Castro and allied opposition figures issue the Sierra Maestra Manifesto calling for a broad political front against Batista and support for the rebel struggle.

Manifesto of the Sierra Maestra

Issues a political manifesto with opposition allies.

Role range: 1957-1957

Coup

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range

Granma

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range

Coup

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

Escopeteros

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

Siege of Oriente Province

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

Movement Political Programme

Castro's movement reports that professors from the University of Oriente are drafting a more formal political and economic programme for the 26th of July Movement.

Escopeteros

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

Role range: 1953-1959

Radio Rebelde

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

Role range: 1953-1959

Rebel Radio

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

Role range: 1953-1959

General Strike

The 26th of July Movement calls a general strike against Batista, but the April 9 action fails to gain nationwide support and is quickly suppressed.

General Strike

Calls for a general strike against Batista.

Role range: 1958-1958

Invasion of Cuba

When Operation Verano ends, Castro orders 3 columns commanded by Guevara, Jaime Vega and Camilo Cienfuegos to invade central Cuba

Role range: 1953-1959

Operation Verano

Batista's army launches Operation Verano, a large summer offensive intended to destroy Castro's guerrilla forces in the Sierra Maestra.

Battle of Santo Domingo

Resists Batista's summer offensive in the mountains.

Role range: 1958-1958

Battle of La Plata

General Eulogio Cantillo's forces begin an operation near La Plata intended to strike Fidel Castro's Sierra Maestra positions.

Battle of La Plata

The Battle of La Plata begins as part of Operation Verano, the Batista government's summer offensive against the Sierra Maestra rebels.

Battle of La Plata

Defeats a Batista battalion during Operation Verano.

Role range: 1958-1958

Battle of La Plata

Castro's forces compel the surrounded government battalion at La Plata to surrender after days of fighting during Operation Verano.

Battle of La Plata

The Battle of La Plata ends with the surrender of the isolated government battalion and the capture of hundreds of soldiers.

Battle of Las Mercedes

At Las Mercedes, government forces nearly encircle Castro's guerrillas; Castro later obtains a cease-fire that helps his surviving forces withdraw.

Battle of Las Mercedes

Escapes encirclement during Batista's offensive.

Role range: 1958-1958

Operation Verano

By August 8, Castro's main force has escaped the government encirclement, bringing Operation Verano to an unsuccessful end for Batista's army.

Operation Verano

After surviving Operation Verano, Castro's forces begin a wider counteroffensive intended to carry the rebellion beyond the Sierra Maestra.

Oriente Rebel Fronts

By August 1958, the 26th of July Movement operates several rebel fronts in Oriente under commanders including Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro and Juan Almeida Bosque.

Capture of Contramaestre

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

Role range: 1953-1959

Capture of Maffo

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

Role range: 1953-1959

Central Oriente Campaign

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

Role range: 1953-1959

Cauto Plains Campaign

Consolidates rebel control after the failure of Operation Verano.

Role range: 1958-1958

Battle of Guisa

Fidel Castro's forces begin the Battle of Guisa, part of the late-1958 rebel offensive that expands control across the Cauto plains.

Revolutionary General Strike

After Batista leaves Cuba, Castro calls for a general strike while the 26th of July Movement demands the army's unconditional surrender and a revolutionary transfer of power.

Revolutionary Victory

Castro's forces enter Havana after Batista flees Cuba.

Role range: 1953-1959

Victory Caravan

Begins the victory caravan from Santiago toward Havana.

Role range: 1953-1959

Revolutionary Victory

Castro arrives in Havana to cheering mobs and assumes the post of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

Role range: 1953-1959

Arrival in Havana

Arrives in Havana after the revolutionary victory.

Role range: 1953-1959

Commander in Chief

Assumes command of the revolutionary armed forces.

Role range: 1959-1959

Inauguration

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba

Prime Minister of Cuba

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba

Resignation of Miro

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba