uh...
from a stronghold in the wild sierra maestro mountains cuba's fidel castro
emerged triumphant after two years of guerrilla warfare against the batista
regime
the revolution that began with castro a fugitive practically alone landing with
eighty two followers
nearly wiped out by government forces ended with the fight of dictator
fulgencio batista and the entry into havana of rebel forces to be acclaimed
by the city
the forces of castro's twenty-sixth of july movement named for the anniversary
of his first attack on the regime in nineteen fifty three
have grown vastly
their power enlarged by captured and surrendered army weapons
nearly two years of hit and run warfare aimed at toppling batista's government
by paralyzing cuba's economy
culminated in victory as nineteen fifty eight and
castro met an all-out government offensive with a counter-attack
and in the battle for the key rail center of santa clara
won the crucial victory
batista resigned
to prevent more bloodshed and fled the country
his departure touched off wild rejoicing in the capital
as the first elements of rebel forces entered havana
at first the celebration was peaceful as shouting cheering crowd search for the city
then the temper of the throne changed and an ugly mob reigned the streets
prime targets the symbols of the overthrowing regime
gambling casino parking meters
the homes and businesses of batista
six years of surface prosperity and government corruption
of repression and police brutality
red explosive discontent
now batista has fled
a new leader is on the scene
fidel castro
in many ways an unknown quantity in his politics and policies
but certainly dominant in cuba's new era
just because