Radio Rootz' This Day in History

• produced by Arturo Contreras
• in

Cuban revolutionaries Fidel and Raul Castro led an unsuccessful attack on the Mocada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. The attack was an attempt to overthrow Cuban president Batista, who consistently protected US interests at the expense of the Cuban people. During his trial, Fidel Castro gave his ‘History Will Absolve Me’ speech, passionately asserting his love for Cuba and his hatred for Batista’s regime. Upon his release from prison Castro joined forces with Che Guevara in Mexico and organized the 26th of July Movement to liberate Cuba. After peaceful resistance tactics failed , Castro and Che resorted to armed guerrilla warfare, successfully overthrowing Batista in 1959.