The Battle of Alegría de Pío was the first armed clash of the Cuban Revolution, leaving rebel forces severely weakened shortly after landing.
Key Facts
- Date
- December 5, 1956
- Rebel force size
- 82 members of the 26th of July Movement
- Landing date
- December 2, 1956 (3 days prior)
- First battle of
- Cuban Revolution
- Rebel outcome
- Heavy casualties; severely crippled
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On December 2, 1956, Fidel Castro led 82 members of the 26th of July Movement in a landing on the southern coast of Cuba, intending to launch an armed revolution against the Cuban government. Within three days, the Cuban National Army had located and engaged the rebel force.
The Battle of Alegría de Pío was the first armed confrontation between the Cuban rebel movement and the Cuban National Army. Government forces attacked the 82-strong rebel group, inflicting heavy casualties and routing the guerrillas in what proved to be a decisive early defeat for Castro's forces.
The rebel force suffered severe losses and was left badly weakened after the battle. The 26th of July Movement required many months to recover from the defeat before it could resume effective military operations, significantly delaying the momentum of the Cuban Revolution in its earliest phase.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Fidel Castro.
Side B
1 belligerent