In 1953, after the failed assault on the Moncada Barracks, Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl were imprisoned. After being released in 1955, they went into exile in Mexico, where they formed the 26th of July Movement. In late 1956, Castro and a small group of around 80 fighters, returned to Cuba and attempted to land in the Oriente Province where they were ambushed by Batista’s forces. Only a few survivors, including Castro and his core group, managed to escape into the rugged Sierra Maestra mountains, where they established their first significant rebel base camp.
The Sierra Maestra offered an ideal natural fortress. The mountainous terrain was difficult for the enemy to navigate, giving Castro’s forces an advantage in evading capture. Castro’s rebels built their base in La Plata, a remote and secluded area deep in the mountains, where they could hide, organize, and train. The rebel base camp became a center for planning military operations, recruiting new fighters, and promoting the ideology of the revolution. Castro’s movement made use of guerrilla tactics, which allowed them to strike quickly and retreat into the mountains before government forces could retaliate.
From the Sierra Maestra, Castro’s forces began to engage in a series of small-scale attacks on Batista’s forces. The military victories and growing popular support led to a turning point in the revolution. The Sierra Maestra camp and its surrounding mountains were integral to the success of the rebels. By December 1958, Castro’s forces launched a final offensive against Batista’s government, and on January 1, 1959, Batista fled Cuba, marking the triumph of the Cuban Revolution.
After Batista’s departure, Fidel Castro and his fellow revolutionaries moved into Havana, where they assumed control of the Cuban government. The rebel base in the Sierra Maestra became a symbol of the struggle for Cuban independence and revolution.
Below is a selection of photos taken during a visit to the Rebel Base Camp on April 17th, 2011 Click on a small photo for a larger view, then select the next one with the cursor keys or the arrows on either side of the photo.
