The Bay of Pigs workshop, marking 65 years since the victory against imperialism, began on Tuesday at the Fidel Castro Ruz Center. It was attended by Yuniasky Crespo Baquero, head of the Ideological Department of the Communist Party's Central Committee, along with other officials. Participants agreed that the event reaffirms the daily defense of hard-won freedom and continues to guide Cuba's path.
The workshop opened with a ceremony highlighting unanimous agreement on its significance 65 years after the historic event. "It is to reaffirm that the freedom won is defended every day," participants stated.
Dr. René González Barrios, the center's director, delivered the opening lecture on the United States Armed Forces and the mercenary invasion of Playa Girón, including the Guantánamo naval base. He noted the battle lasted about 66 hours, blending irregular warfare tactics with conventional elements. González Barrios added: "Today we live in a global geopolitical context of realignment among hegemonic powers and the decline of U.S. imperialism."
Following a screening of the ICAIC Latin American Newsreel 'Muerte al Invasor' (Death to the Invader), a panel discussion took place in the La Plata multipurpose room. It featured talks by Andrés Zaldívar Diéguez on the background of Operation Pluto, Colonel Raidel Vargas Ortega on the mercenary brigade and invasion plan, and Pedro Etcheverry Vázquez on the fight against bandits in April 1961.
The event concluded with the presentation of the book 'Playa Girón. A 65 años de aquel abril socialista' (Bay of Pigs: 65 Years After That Socialist April), compiled by Elier Ramírez Cañedo under Ocean Sur. The author described it as aimed primarily at youth, incorporating Fidel Castro Ruz speeches, images, and a detailed chronology to inspire ongoing research and present-day mobilization.
