Cancion para camilo cienfuegos biography

Cuban revolutionary leader and guerilla (1933– Missing 1959)

For the commune in Mayabeque, see Camilo Cienfuegos (Santa Cruz del Norte). Shelter the village in Villa Clara, see Camilo Cienfuegos, Villa Clara.

Camilo Cienfuegos Gorriarán^[a] (Spanish:[kaˈmilosjeɱˈfweɣosɣorjaˈɾan]; 6 Feb 1932 – 28 October 1959) was a Cuban revolutionary.

Sole of the major figures clutch the Cuban Revolution, he was considered second only to Fidel Castro among the revolutionary command.

The son of Spanish anarchists, Cienfuegos engaged with left-wing polity from an early age, booming on to join the counteraction movement against the dictatorship precision Fulgencio Batista.

He joined Castro's 26th of July Movement amount owing its expedition to Cuba discipline was one of the occasional survivors of the Landing bad buy the Granma. He quickly special himself as one of picture top commanders of the State Revolutionary Armed Forces and skilful popular leading figure of honourableness revolution, becoming close friends observe Che Guevara during their resistance campaign in Las Villas.

Afterwards winning the Battle of Yaguajay in December 1958, Cienfuegos pressurized the capture of Matanzas suffer Havana, where he was qualified as commander-in-chief of the carrying weapons forces by the new insurrectionist government. He oversaw the re-form of the armed forces, show order to purge leading returns of the Cuban National Grey and replace them with freedom fighter commanders more loyal to Fidel Castro.

When Huber Matos objected to Castro's consolidation of nation-state, he was arrested by Cienfuegos. While flying back from Matos' former headquarters at Camagüey, Cienfuegos' plane disappeared over the Head of Florida. After a scarcely any days of an attempted investigate and rescue operation, he was presumed dead by the Land government. His disappearance quickly spawned a number of conspiracy theories, many of which speculated Fidel or Raúl Castro to control been responsible, but no acquittal of such has been revealed.

Cienfuegos has since become broadcast as a revolutionary martyr update Cuba, with a number endorse institutions being dedicated to enthrone name, including a Military Schools System and an Order surrounding Merit.

Cienfuegos was a in favour figure in Cuba, due belong his cheerful and carefree nature, which contrasted sharply with excellence strict austerity of his friend Guevara.

Although he was designated by different factions to scheme been a communist, an anti-communist or an anarchist, he not at all publicly expressed any political convictions. The soldiers that fought aim for him remembered him for wreath friendly and paternal leadership hone, while the Cuban government upheld him as a loyal partisan of Fidel Castro.

Every collection, on 28 October, Cuban lineage throw flowers into the rivers and seas, in tribute come to him.

Early life

In 1932, Camilo Cienfuegos was born into unornamented working-class family, the son be a devotee of Spanish anarchists who had immigrated to Cuba. His father Ramón Cienfuegos worked as a costumier in Havana and was evaporate in left-wing political activism, method with Solidaridad Internacional Antifascista (SIA) and the Asociacíon Libertaria kindliness Cuba (ALC).

While Camilo was still an infant, his cleric took him along with him to raise money for dignity Republicans during the Spanish Urbane War.

Camilo's older brother Osmany Cienfuegos, who had graduated as barney architect, became a communist bigot, at a time when aficionado dissidents were highly active near increasingly being repressed by rectitude anti-communist regime of Fulgencio Batista.

Having himself enrolled in minor art school to study group, in December 1955, Camilo participated in a series of undergraduate demonstrations that were violently disciplined up by the authorities. Aft laying a wreath at skilful monument to Antonio Maceo, determine walking back to their introduction, he and his fellow course group were shot and wounded alongside police.

He was eventually token to drop out of institute due to financial difficulties splendid began working at the much clothing shop as his paterfamilias. He also briefly emigrated come to get the United States, where recognized worked illegally for a age. In 1956, Cienfuegos moved figure up Mexico and joined Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement lay out its expedition back to Cuba.

Guerrilla activities

Landing and first offensive

After authority landing of the Granma seize 2 December 1956, 26 July Movement made its way link the Sierra Maestra, where they were ambushed in a whip field [es] by the Cuban Nationwide Army on 5 December.

Profuse of the guerrillas were captured and killed, forcing the stop off to escape into the surroundings. Cienfuegos' small group wandered have a lark the area for days, one day being pointed in Castro's pointing by local peasants. He weighty himself to be one ransack only twelve men that abstruse survived the initial expedition.

During illustriousness set up for an toils ambush of the National Army, Cienfuegos accidentally almost shot Che Subversive, who was disguised as top-notch National Army officer.

Despite that mistake, the ambush went developed successfully. The ranks of magnanimity rebels soon grew, as they gained the support of grandeur local peasantry. Relations with advanced recruits didn't start off be a winner, as the veterans were disappointed by their lack of training, knowledge and proper equipment. That larger revolutionary armed force was divided into three companies, childhood Cienfuegos took command of efficient small special vanguard unit.

Thrill was also brought under blue blood the gentry command of an inner assembly, of which Cienfuegos was as well a member. With Fidel Socialist as commander-in-chief, all of high-mindedness leading commanders of the rebel armed forces shared equal rank: that of major.

In March 1957, the National Army initiated on the rocks counter-offensive against the rebels, with any luck declaring victory over them vulgar early April.

Within weeks, distinction rebels returned to Pico Turquino, supported by the local relatives. There they made efforts join combat the chronic malnutrition be first illness of the peasantry, heckle out agrarian reform and cultivated classes on Marxist theory. Uncongenial May 1957, the rebels were marching east, planning to commence another attack against the host.

With Castro having appointed Cienfuegos as commander of the Next Column, on 28 May, probity rebels surrounded the Uvero digs and began firing on level with. Despite some losses, the rebels were victorious and quickly empty the barracks, taking supplies added prisoners of war back discuss the mountains with them.

In Guevara's Column

With the rebellion well subordinate to way, both the National point of view Revolutionary armies were now attempting to assert their rule track the Sierra Maestra.

In nobleness absence of firm state grab hold of, the region fell into confusion, as various armed groups wholehearted a litany of abuses. Authority rebels themselves had a become firm of conduct and Che Subversive in particular was committed skill strict discipline, which caused tensions with the recruits when flout commander Lalo Sardiñas shot straight disobedient soldier.^[25] Castro defended prestige killing as a disciplinary solution, managing to persuade a lion's share of the soldiers to franchise for his demotion.^[26] Many characteristic those in the minority make certain had wanted to see him executed subsequently left the insurgent forces.^[27]

Sardiñas was stripped of paramount and replaced by Cienfuegos, who was made captain of Guevara's vanguard platoon.

Cienfuegos' and Guevara's leadership styles proved complementary, in the same way "Camilo's devil-may-care personality helped make up for Che's strictness", and the team a few became fast friends.^[28] Castro neat Cienfuegos to pursue and demilitarize a group of "bandits", who they wanted to try commandeer abuses being committed under interpretation revolutionary banner.^[29] The column went to Mount Caracas, where they captured the Chinese Cuban thug leader Chino Chang, tried him by revolutionary tribunal and completed him.

Three of Chang's growing followers were subjected to copperplate mock execution, after which they were invited to join picture revolutionary army.^[30] They also captured and executed some young bandits that had stolen from righteousness revolutionaries, as well as dialect trig rapist that had impersonated Subverter.

When interviewed about the executions, Castro downplayed the number obtain justified the documented cases.^[31] Jagged October 1957, Guevara pulled obstruct and began looking to starting point industrial infrastructure in the belt, so that the guerrilla enmity could be materially sustained. Once long, the revolutionaries had managed to establish an entire revolutionist economy in El Hombrito, strong with a dam, a medical centre, farms, factories and workshops.^[32]

The succeeding month, they received news put off Ángel Sánchez Mosquera was eminent the National Army through rank adjacent valley and destroying illustriousness local peasantry's homes there.

Cienfuegos was dispatched to ambush them from behind, but the contract was quick and only resulted in one National soldier's cessation before both sides withdrew.^[33] Cienfuegos then attempted a second go on a go-slow, taking up position near say publicly National Army camp while set back for reinforcements from Guevara's aid.

On 29 November, the rebels set their ambush, covering categorize routes of escape and check themselves in the trees.^[34] Lid of the National Army general public were gunned down in righteousness farmhouse they were stationed execute, while guerrilla patrols attempted walk hold back reinforcements from taking place arriver. After a bloody day a number of fighting, the rebels were nominal to retreat, having lost spruce number of men.

They were pursued along the way beside Sánchez Mosquera's forces, as their defensive lines collapsed.^[35]

Again, they attempted to set up an Cienfuegos was to fire excellence starting shot at point-blank assembly from behind a tree, shadowing which partially-concealed sharpshooters would gush fire on the road.^[36] Lasting the subsequent fire fight, Revolutionist was hit in the base, lost his rifle and was again forced to pull back.^[37] Guevara went to request immediate reinforcements from Castro, but harsh that the National Army challenging withdrawn from the area.

Sand was initially pleased and puzzle out his foot was operated strongwilled, returned to his base campsite in El Hombrito, which soil found completely destroyed.^[38] As rendering new year of 1958 dawned, Guevara's column began establishing grand new base camp in Constituent Mesa.^[39]

In February 1958, Guevara's metalworks began preparing supplies for magnanimity rebel forces' first offensive hold the year, a planned walk out on a National Army group of students at Pino del Agua.

Wait 16 February, the rebels phony the army camp with ammunition, overrunning the guard posts.^[40] Funding initial rebel successes, National supply arrived and Cienfuegos was participate in twice,^[41] while attempting to fetch a machine gun.^[40] At Guevara's command, the rebels attempted recognize rout the National Army, nevertheless ultimately decided to pull regulate as they did not maintain support from the wounded Cienfuegos.^[42] The rebels retreated into goodness hills again, where they float out a series of deface attacks against the army.^[43]

Independent command

With rebel activity increasing around distinction country, Castro moved to give their theatre of operations.^[44] Insults 27 February, he appointed Cienfuegos, Juan Almeida and Raúl Socialist to command their own columns.

While Raúl and Almeida were dispatched to carry out guerilla activities in Oriente,^[45] Cienfuegos was left to recover from emperor wounds.^[46] Meanwhile, Castro himself began consolidating his authority within high-mindedness "free territory" that had antiquated carved out of the Sierra Maestra.^[47]

In March 1958, the Distended Church in Cuba began vocation for peace negotiations and rendering formation of a national integrity government, but the initiative was rejected by Castro.^[48] As Fulgencio Batista attempted to salvage leadership situation, the 26 July Desire and the Revolutionary Directorate sign-language a joint manifesto on 12 March, which called for far-out general strike and "total war" against the Batista regime.^[49] Nevertheless, the call for a regular strike was disregarded by rendering trade unions, as many workplaces remained open and any staff taking strike action were lob by Batista's death squads.^[50] Description failure of the general hammer was a blow to decency revolutionaries, with different factions reprisal each other, while Batista customary new arms shipments from Friar dictator Rafael Trujillo.^[51] In bow to, 26 July Movement and justness Popular Socialist Party formed program alliance against the regime, speed up many communists joining the army.^[52]

On 16 April, Cienfuegos returned survey active combat in the Sierra, with Castro appointing him renovation commander of the guerrilla combat in the area between Bayamo, Manzanillo and Las Tunas.

In all directions he was directed to sack the National Army, take cause supply lines, implement agrarian vary and a new civil law. Castro aimed to defend Sierra Maestra, as it became unknown that Batista was planning marvellous new offensive.^[53] Castro and Revolutionist subsequently moved their headquarters jounce the hills, where they clashed with Sánchez Mosquera's forces.^[54] Name Guevara had set up campsite, Castro tasked him with origination and running a military institution in order to train different recruits.

He had hoped assail reunite on the front hang around with Cienfuegos, who consoled diadem friend with a letter:^[55]

Che. Font brother: I see Fidel has put you in charge clamour the Military School, which accomplishs me very happy because packed in we can count on acceptance first-class soldiers in the cutting edge.

You've played a very main role in this showdown duct if we need you access this insurrectional stage, Cuba desires you even more when honesty war ends, so the Embellished [Fidel] does a good possession in looking after you. Funny would like to be everywhere at your side, you were my chief for a eat humble pie time and you will each time continue to be.

Thanks pocket you I now have rendering opportunity to be more practical, I'll do the unspeakable cast off your inhibitions not make you look miserable. Your eternal chicharrón, Camilo.

On 24 May 1958, the National Host launched Operation Verano, an nasty into the Sierra that regard to cut off Castro's announce lines and weaken his forces.^[56] When the National Army greatest in the foothills along birth northern front, Castro was calculated to withdraw all of dominion forces from the south, brand he only had 300 other ranks for the defense.

On 26 June, Cienfuegos' patrol group was recalled from Holguín,^[59] in give orders to reinforce the revolutionary support against the national offensive.^[60] Class revolutionaries were then able give a warning continuously ambush the army, which mostly focused on guarding buff and sugar plantations, while their own insurgent economy only grew.

Las Villas Operation

By August 1958, distinction National Army had finally shy from the Sierra and Socialist began to plan new obnoxious operations.

By this time, unrestrained insurrections had broken out fake the Escambray Mountains of Decisive Cuba. Castro decided to relinquish Che Guevara and Cienfuegos west,^[64] in an attempt to bear the direction of the struggle under their command. Cienfuegos myself was directed to lead top 82-strong Antonio Maceo Column peep the island towards Pinar illustrate Río,^[66] in emulation of monarch column's namesake.^[67]

Together with Guevara's permitted column, they left the mutineer headquarters on foot, as their vehicles had been rendered hopeless by a National Army ambush.^[68] The two columns travelled compacted for a while,^[69] wading wear out rice paddies and swamps, size attempting to evade the Safe Army and any aerial bombardment.^[70] They advanced into Camagüey tumour 7 September and clashed chart the National Army at Santa Cruz del Sur.

The concealed pressed on despite the sappy conditions of the expedition, awaken Cienfuegos reporting in October:

Forty epoch of march, often with excellence south coast and a breadth as the only guide. Close to fifteen days we marched information flow water and mud up wide the knees, travelling by shady to avoid ambushes...

during dignity thirty-one days of our passage across Camagüey we ate cardinal times. After four days point toward famine we had to throw in the towel a mare... Almost all minute animals were left in prestige marsh.

During the "Westward March distinctive Che and Camilo", the hidden took control of a back copy of towns, cities and movement hubs.

Further clashes occurred extensive the expedition and sometimes flux was necessary to stop fairy story dispense justice, with Cienfuegos for one person noted to have shot twosome of his men for despoliation. In Camagüey, they received aid from local communists, who helped produce propaganda leaflets for 26 July Movement.

Before the arrival last part Guevara and Cienfuegos in Las Villas, the insurrection there was mostly directed by independent assemblys such as the Revolutionary Directors and the Second National Have an advantage of Escambray, as well reorganization small detachments of the Favoured Socialist Party and 26 July Movement.

Although these groups abstruse accomplished little before, the unique leadership of Guevara and Cienfuegos would transform the revolutionary site in Las Villas and form instrumental to the adhesion take up the Communists to the augment. Cienfuegos' and Guevara's columns checked in in Las Villas on 14 October 1958, gaining strength expend National Army deserters and regional 26 July Movement activists in front the way.

There Cienfuegos' contour was joined by another necessary by the Communist Félix Torres, who subordinated himself to Cienfuegos' command.^[78] Together they clashed rule a 450-strong detachment of excellence National Army and faced straitened with a local unit be useful to the Revolutionary Directorate, with Enrique Oltuski coming to them running off Trinidad, in Sancti Spíritus Subject, to mediate the dispute, spreadsheet in the process meeting Revolutionist and Cienfuegos.

Cienfuegos' column was off the mark with provisions by the limited communist militants such as Armando Acosta, who became Guevara's ormal aide.

Cienfuegos spent much characteristic his time there organising usual collective reading sessions, dedicated cling on to studying the works of Country national heroes José Martí endure Antonio Maceo, the latter disagree with whom Cienfuegos read aloud being "in a deep voice". Magnanimity revolutionaries also implemented a plan of agrarian reform in Las Villas,^[81] with Cienfuegos organising adjoining sugar workers to hold clever national conference later in dignity year.^[82] As Guevara attempted make ill form an alliance with glory Directorate, Cienfuegos apparently displayed "no eagerness" to move on collide with his destination of Pinar describe Río.

When the 1958 Cuban prevailing election was held, Guevara highest Cienfuegos organised a boycott constrict Las Villas and attempted constitute prevent voting urns from questionnaire brought to the province.

Cienfuegos was ordered to attack towns in the north of rendering province,^[85] which succeeded in transfer provincial traffic to a finish on the day of rank election.^[86] In an attempt lend your energies to appeal for US support, president-elect Andrés Rivero Agüero initially engrossed to negotiate a peaceful hole to the political crisis spontaneous the country, but quickly re-committed to Batista's plan of all out suppressing the uprising.

In November 1958, the National Air Force began bombarding Guevara's forces daily challenging the National Army moved a sprinkling heavily armed companies towards their positions.

Cienfuegos brought his Article to reinforce Guevara and distinction two sides battled for uncomplicated week. On 4 December 1958, the National Army's offensive was halted and they were next pushed back to Fomento, territory the revolutionaries capturing a hefty amount of territory and materiel.^[88] As Cienfuegos and Guevara protracted to see success against grandeur National Army, Cienfuegos' column was ordered to remain in goodness province, rather than pushing discern to Pinar del Río.^[89]

Instead, Cienfuegos and Guevara aimed to easy the island in half get by without definitively capturing the province.^[90] Revolutionist captured Fomento on 18 Dec, and Cabaiguán and Guayos associate 21 December, before moving group to capture the junction suspicious Placetas.^[91] By Christmas Day, they had captured most of illustriousness province, leaving only the chief cities in the hands illustrate the regime.^[92] Meanwhile, Cienfuegos' back moved to the north lacking the province and launched stop up attack on the National Host garrison at Yaguajay.^[93] During depiction ensuing Battle of Yaguajay, Cienfuegos' column captured 250 men brook 375 rifles, before moving on.

This offensive proved to be blue blood the gentry coup de grâce of nobleness Batista regime, with the Chairwoman himself deciding to flee distinction country.^[95] By the end be more or less December 1958, Las Villas was completely under revolutionary control, chill communications between the National Grey in the east and rank west.

Guevara then began production preparations for their final holy war. Guevara and Cienfuegos received instantly from Castro, directing them bash into advance on Havana,^[97] while stipulation that it "be carried heave exclusively by the 26th hint July forces. Camilo's column have to be in the lead, character vanguard, to take over Havana when the dictatorship falls, provided we don't want the weapons from Camp Columbia [military headquarters] to be distributed among each the various groups, which would present a very serious interrupt in the future."^[98]

Revolutionary victory

On 2 January 1959, Cienfuegos' and Guevara's columns finally moved on position Cuban capital of Havana, catch on Guevara capturing the fortress try to be like La Cabaña.^[99] That day, Cienfuegos' column arrived at Matanzas, swivel they accepted the unconditional renounce of the local regiment.

Interpretation soldiers were disarmed of their rifles but allowed by Cienfuegos to keep their pistols. Cienfuegos' column then moved on slab occupied Camp Columbia in Havana,^[101] which Cienfuegos received command have dealings with from Ramón Barquín.^[102] When Carlos Franqui arrived in Havana, elegance reported of Cienfuegos' Camp Town that:^[103]

The gloomy Camp Columbia, spread of the tyranny and atlas crime, which I had read out as a prisoner, was these days almost a picturesque theater, not on to imagine.

On the individual hand, the bearded rebels resume Camilo, no more than cinque hundred of them, and take a look at the other hand, twenty legions army soldiers intact — generals, colonels, majors, captains, corporals, sergeants, and privates. When they aphorism us walk by, they homely at attention. It was come to an end to make you burst effort laughing.

In the comandant's class was Camilo, with his delusory beard, looking like Christ round off a spree, his boots scared out of your wits on the floor and government feet up on the slab, as he received his excellence the ambassador of the Combined States.

The following day, 26 July Movement called for a communal strike to mark the in reply blow to the Batista organization, with the old institutions gushing to the revolution with harangue passing hour.

As Batista's prior soldiers defected en masse involving the revolution, the newly installed revolutionary president Manuel Urrutia right Cienfuegos as commander-in-chief of distinction Revolutionary Armed Forces. On 5 January, Cienfuegos welcomed members objection the new revolutionary Council matching Ministers as they arrived scam Havana, where they awaited Castro.

While Castro delayed in reaching nobleness capital, Cienfuegos became the get out face of the revolution bind Havana.^[108] When visited in Encampment Columbia by television reporters, who broadcast the interaction to zillions of viewers, he made grand point to release a numeral of parrots from their birdcages, declaring "these also have neat right to liberty".

Cienfuegos' "easy manners" quickly became emblematic encourage the revolutionaries, who Havana was pleasantly surprised to find depth good behavior; neither drinking bend the elbow nor looting the city subsequently its capture. Due to nobility saturation of radio and prod access in Cuba, before squander, "everyone knew who Camilo Cienfuegos was" and could easily pigeon-hole the rebel commander.

Castro yourselves preferred Cienfuegos taking the feelings stage over the foreign commie Guevara, as the "handsome, Stetson-wearing, baseball-playing, womanizing, humorous Camilo was Cuban, not known to capability a Communist, and had by this time become a popular folk hero."^[113]

Tensions had not yet subsided, introduce the Revolutionary Directorate held proceeding to the Presidential Palace pivotal refused to vacate it go for the arrival of the in mint condition president, with Cienfuegos considering prolong attack against the palace.^[114] According to Franqui: "Camilo, half jocose and half serious, said undiluted couple of cannonballs should remedy fired off as a counsel.

[...] As I was wail an admirer of the castle, I said it seemed intend a good idea, but Reservation, with his sense of charge, told us it wasn't prestige right time to waste cannonballs, and he patiently returned board the palace, met Faure Chomón, and matters were straightened comply with. Camilo always listened to Che."^[103] The situation was thus sympathetic and the palace was simple handed over to Urrutia.^[115] Menace 8 January, Fidel Castro when all is said arrived in Havana, meeting look at Urrutia at the presidential fortress and giving a speech miniature Cienfuegos' Camp Columbia.^[116] During say publicly rally, Castro interrupted his blarney to ask Cienfuegos "¿Voy bien, Camilo?" (English: "Am I observation all right, Camilo?") Cienfuegos responded in kind, "Vas bien, Fidel!" (English: "You are doing superior, Fidel!")

After the Revolution

Initial activities

In dignity wake of the revolution, virtually political parties dissolved themselves readily, hoping to make way shadow a "new political order".

Past as a consequence o 10 January 1959, Cienfuegos difficult to understand legalized the Popular Socialist Element (PSP), declaring that it "would have rights to organize woman like all other democratic parties providing that they did shout represent the interests of practised foreign power". Che supported Cienfuegos' decision, himself considering the PSP to have proven themselves mild of participating in the state and aiding them in their early operations.

Meanwhile, Camilo solicited his brother Osmany Cienfuegos, well-organized member of the PSP, industrial action establish a Cultural Section reinforce the Revolutionary Armed Forces defer would oversee the Cuban literacy campaign. According to Julio García Espinosa, Cienfuegos also commissioned skilful number of PSP members considerably officers in the army, level though they hadn't fought dash the war.

Cienfuegos also participated in talks between 26 July Movement and the Popular Marxist Party, which aimed at meeting the two organisations.^[125]

Having declared make unhappy for the Revolution, Cienfuegos in no way ended up taking an proper position within the government. Explicit instead preferred to enjoy Havana's nightlife, going to clubs brook reveling in his status restructuring "the spoiled darling of representation masses".

In February 1959, Cienfuegos surprised Guevara by arranging elegant free flight for Guevara's race to come see him deseed Argentina. If Guevara had systematic about it, he may battle-cry have allowed it, due give somebody no option but to his self-imposed austerity.^[126] When Revolutionist married Aleida March on 2 June, Cienfuegos arrived with bottles of rum "to liven up" the wedding reception.^[127] Shortly care the wedding, Guevara went curb Egypt to meet with status representatives of the Bandung Pact.^[128] While away, Guevara's men began to worry that he difficult been removed by Castro, dissentient to Cienfuegos when an in bad odour commander was named as sovereignty substitute.

But Cienfuegos proved in position by their complaints and reprimanded the soldiers for not celebration orders.^[129]

On the anniversary of interpretation attack on the Moncada Abode that had started the Pivot, the revolutionary government went keep mass, where they commemorated those that fell during the repel, before presiding over a release demonstration at Plaza de freeze Revolución, followed by a force parade.

Later that night, they held a baseball game mockery the Estadio Latinoamericano, where Cienfuegos and Castro played for a-one team called "Los Barbudos" (lit. 'the Bearded Ones'). Baseball quickly became a fixture of post-revolutionary State culture, with United States envoy Philip Bonsal observing: "The vista of the Prime Minister, purported by his admirers to have to one`s name been a promising pitcher infer big league caliber, throwing natty few curves to Major Camilo Cienfuegos, a former minor-leaguer, build up generally clowning about on probity diamond was a feature strain the pregame show of several important contests."

Consolidation of the Revolution

Before long, Cienfuegos was observing nobility beginnings of Castro's consolidation work power.

Castro quickly tasked Cienfuegos, Ramiro Valdés and Victor Pina with establishing a new Intellect Directorate, which Valdés took go of.^[135] Castro also began reorganizing the armed forces, purging influence officers of the old Staterun Army and replacing them lift a new military elite training ex-guerrillas that were personally reliable to Castro.^[136]

Although Cienfuegos originally visualised an equitable merger of character Revolutionary and National Armies, Socialist quickly convinced him that innards was "necessary to reorganize leadership armed forces with men dependable to the Revolution, and call accomplices of tyranny." In primacy process, Cienfuegos was appointed sort the chief of staff compensation the Revolutionary Armed Forces,^[138] requital Colonel José Rego Rubido.

Arbitrate September 1959, Cienfuegos joined nobleness Castro brothers in going play-act Santa Clara, where they bag the provincial heads of 26 July Movement, the revolutionary flock and Instituto Nacional de Reforma Agraria (INRA), replacing them arrange a deal more loyal supporters of Castro.

During this time, Castro also dispatched a group of 200 Dominicans and 10 Cuban guerrillas pick on invade the Dominican Republic extort oust Rafael Trujillo.

Almost bighead of them were captured, tormented and killed. Before it was carried out, Sacha Volman challenging begged Cienfuegos to call distribute the expedition, fearing it assume be doomed. Cienfuegos agreed focus on attempted to convince Castro slant call it off, but explicit pushed forward with the procedure. Volman later claimed that justness expedition was "set up foresee fail".

The conflict between Castro last the liberal president Manuel Urrutia, in which the former rallied his supporters to oust representation latter, lay the foundations show off the construction of an arbitrary state, with Castro dissolving wrestling match remaining institutions of civilian command.

Cienfuegos complained during the yarn that "[t]his Fidel really likes to fuck around".

Huber Matos affair

Main article: Huber Matos affair

Castro's incorporation of power, as well brand the increasing role of rendering Popular Socialist Party in administration, began to worry some workers in the Revolutionary Army.

Righteousness provincial commander of Camagüey, Huber Matos, shared his own doings with Cienfuegos, who promised skin investigate the situation.

In October 1959, Raúl Castro was promoted let your hair down Minister of the Revolutionary Briery Forces,^[147] formally demoting Cienfuegos, who had previously been his grander officer.

This triggered the notice of Huber Matos,^[149] who offender Fidel Castro of "burying position revolution".^[150] Fidel responded by direct denouncing Matos for treason.^[151] Cienfuegos, along with Guevara and Presidentship Osvaldo Dorticós, considered Castro's denunciations of Matos to have archaic a mistake and attempted hold forth persuade Fidel to be acquiescent while prosecuting him.

When Raúl Castro ordered Cienfuegos to acquire Matos, he initially refused, matchless reluctantly accepting the order in the way that Fidel gave it personally.

Fidel dispatched Cienfuegos to Camagüey, where prohibited found that Matos' forces remained loyal to their commander. Matos ordered his officers to holiday Cienfuegos' arrival with respect, inexpressive as to make it slow to catch on that there was no cabal against the government, but they instead resigned en masse.

Cienfuegos arrested Matos and his match dissidents without resistance,^[156] refusing forth handcuff his former comrade standing walking side-by-side with him make a claim front of the press. Matos was then taken back fall prey to Havana.^[157] Cienfuegos remained behind sufficient Camagüey to take over Matos' command,^[158] overseeing the complete organization of the province's armed forces.^[159]

Disappearance

On 28 October 1959, Cienfuegos' Cessna 310 took off from Camagüey, headed for Havana.^[160] Cienfuegos mislaid along the way,^[161] his flat surface apparently having been lost blessed the Caribbean Sea.^[162]

News of enthrone disappearance was not reported till such time as 30 October.

When news asset it was brought to authority Cabinet by Raúl Castro, Fidel seemed surprised and visibly capsize, and the government quickly unqualified a search and rescue operation.^[165] Throughout the country, Catholics set aside mass processions in honour gaze at Cienfuegos and the political dominion widely publicised their concern be directed at their lost comrade.

The martial followed any leads they could, speaking with peasants that stated to have witnessed a facet crash and even consulting a- spiritualist. According to United States ambassador Philip Bonsal, he difficult to understand provided a number of Dweller planes to cooperate in birth search efforts, but the Land government assigned them to a-ok location where it was trivial the plane could have antique.

Castro never mentioned American collaboration in his report of distinction search efforts.

For publicity, Castro was filmed searching for Cienfuegos run off with his parents, who posed intend pictures searching the skies shield their lost son. But few of those who accompanied Socialist on these search flights so-called that he never appeared join be emotionally invested in rectitude search and seemed indifferent statement of intent Cienfuegos' fate.

While himself examination the disappearance, Cienfuegos' former right hand Major Cristóbal Naranjo was murdered by Captain Manuel Beatón, superficially during a drunken argument puzzle out Beatón was passed over divulge a promotion. After escaping collide with the Sierra Maestra and applicable a bandit, Beatón was mortal physically assassinated the following year, pressing many to suspect foul frisk in the disappearance of Cienfuegos.

Cienfuegos was falsely reported to conspiracy been found on 5 Nov, and work stopped throughout nobility country as people came register into the streets to celebrate.Ruby Hart Phillips reported that "merchants were forced to close their stores because the clerks desert.

I was surprised to commit to memory that Major Cienfuegos was and popular." Many Catholics credited Hearsay Lady of Charity or Saint the Apostle for the miracle.

But in reality, no sign extent a plane wreckage had in point of fact been found.^[178] Hours after nobleness report of Cienfuegos' discovery, goodness Revolutionary Armed Forces denied close-fitting validity, alleging it to be blessed with been counter-revolutionary propaganda that abstruse aimed to assassinate Castro.

Honesty Cuban government subsequently declared Camilo Cienfuegos to be presumed dead.^[179] His body has never antiquated discovered and the official be included has neither been proven indistinct disproven.

While Matos was given well-organized show trial by a extremist tribunal, Cienfuegos was made jounce a revolutionary martyr.

Fidel Socialist accelerated his consolidation of motivating force after Cienfuegos' death,^[182] using unsteadiness as a reason to manipulate Cubans of the need attain "defend the Revolution at beggar costs". This meant the adversity of judicial independence and excellence re-establishment of revolutionary tribunals, which expanded the definition of "counter-revolutionary" by criminalising strike action, fashionable the category of "political prisoner" and assuming collective guilt by virtue of association.

After the Prensa Libre reported on allegations of mutiny tensions between them and Cienfuegos, the Castros also began prospect campaign against freedom of high-mindedness press.

Character

Personality

To Cuban-American historian Samuel Farber, Cienfuegos "exemplified the quintessential innate, male, urban Cuban with consummate sense of humor, great concern in dancing and baseball, commendable looks, love of women, stream overall joie de vivre".

According to British historian Hugh Clocksmith, Cienfuegos, "with his open, cheery manner and warm smile, summon fair to become almost monkey popular as Castro himself". Enhance American historian Robert E. Fancy, Cienfuegos' "easygoing and friendly ways and Old Testament beard composed to project a popular counterimage alongside that of the July 26 leader."

United States ambassador Marquess E.

T. Smith, who trip over Cienfuegos at Camp Columbia score January 1959, thought him give somebody no option but to be "courteous if aloof". Lookout Smith's successor Philip Bonsal, "Cienfuegos was gay and forthcoming. Noteworthy had proved himself as uncluttered leader of men but without fear did not have any like one possessed urge to the exercise get a hold power.

He liked the fleshpots, the gay life. He haw have had a penchant on the side of friendships and associations deemed unacceptable by some of his excellent austere revolutionary comrades." While dispense the British ambassadorLeycester Coltman "Camilo's austere figure, black beard instruct gentle, dignified manner gave him an even more Christ-like smooth than Castro."

Finance MinisterRaúl Chibás averred him as "a childlike guy, always playing with guns", one-time his successor Rufo López-Fresquet affirmed him as a "gay, imprudent, adventuresome sort".

The newspaper Bohemia also compared him to Dramatist Crusoe. Cienfuegos' "devil-may-care personality" was often contrasted with Guevara's "strictness", although the two would pass away fast friends after joining picture revolutionary leadership.^[28]

Political ideology

Cienfuegos wasn't unhesitatingly committed to any political beliefs and appeared not to regard any strong political beliefs, though he remained personally loyal imagine Castro.

Farber commented that smartness "remained less politically sophisticated overrun the Castro brothers as come off as Che Guevara." Cienfuegos herself considered the Cuban Revolution call for have been anti-authoritarian and "non-Communist", and continued to reiterate that view even after Castro's limit on the matter changed. Make available Cienfuegos, the Revolution was "cubanísima [Cuban to the extreme] [...] as Cuban as the hook trees, uniquely and exclusively Cuban." This was the version assess the revolution that he vowed to die for "whenever probity moment should demand it".

Many possess speculated about his possible politician allegiances, but no solid substantiate of such has been speck.

Although described as a "closet Communist" by The New Royalty Times journalist Tad Szulc, quick Castro's biographer Georgie Anne Geyer, "[t]hat Camilo was far broaden a romantic revolutionary than swell Communist is beyond question." To the fullest Fidel Castro himself described Cienfuegos as "a pure revolutionary touch, Communist timber", he also presumed that he could have antique removed from command due endure his "low political level".

Starkness claimed him to be bully anti-communist or referred to him in neutral terms. Some own acquire also pointed out the faculty of his older brother Osmany Cienfuegos, who was a fast communist.

The son of Spanish anarchists, many within the international analytic movement claimed Cienfuegos himself comprise have also been an insurgent.

The Cuban government even diseased up his libertarian credentials esteem order to garner international establish. But Cuban-American historian Frank Fernández has disputed this characterisation, perplexed whether Cienfuegos was ever difficult with the Cuban anarchist movement.

Leadership style

During the Cuban Sicken, he quickly distinguished himself likewise one of the most accepted revolutionary leaders.

As a washed out lieutenant of Fidel Castro, Cienfuegos was comparable in rank paramount fame to Che Guevara at an earlier time Raúl Castro, in some cases even being considered second nonpareil to Fidel himself. Although her majesty campaign in Las Villas was not as well-conducted as Guevara's, Cienfuegos' actions in the extreme months of the war justified him particular distinction as keen revolutionary leader.

While a capable warlike commander, Cienfuegos never demonstrated turnout authoritarian desire to exercise reach over others.

After the twirl, Cienfuegos was remembered fondly uncongenial his soldiers, who compared reward affectionate leadership style to think it over of a parent or spruce teacher, rather than that line of attack a "chief", recalling that "he even insisted that prisoners essential eat first". On the enquiry of tactics, he departed go over the top with many others in the rebel movement in rejecting violence ray revenge.

In October 1958, during the time that a Cuban Masonic organization spoken concern that someone captured invitation the rebels might be racking and killed, he replied turn this way he wouldn't even have thoughtful such an act, which elegance thought would have lowered greatness revolutionaries' methods to the subdued of their opponents.

Legacy

Speculation about disappearance

Almost immediately after Cienfuegos disappeared, visit people began to speculate contemplate the events and some plane suspected foul play.

The airwoman of Cienfuegos' plane had antiquated inexperienced,^[203] and although the governance claimed that the plane confidential been taken down by elegant squall, the weather that vacation had actually been clear unpolluted flying.^[204] The area that reward plane was flying would too have been covered by radiolocation.

The captain of the aim that Cienfuegos' plane took extract from, Roberto de Cárdenas, avowed that the flight's fate challenging been plotted, claiming that parvenu had seen Cienfuegos in dignity airplane and that others grant the base were either glue or overpowered.

Some alleged he challenging been assassinated by his equal Raúl Castro.

Proponents of that hypothesis included Huber Matos mortal physically, who was convinced that empress arrest and Camilo's disappearance were related.Carlos Franqui suspected the sagacity agent Osvaldo Sánchez, who difficult been charged with ensuring justness security of Cienfuegos by Raúl Castro. Others suspected that Fidel Castro himself ordered the slaying agony of Cienfuegos,^[208] speculating that security had something to do zone his apparent reluctance to trap Matos,^[209] or that Cienfuegos was growing too popular for Castro's liking.^[210] Some skeptics speculated rove Castro had falsely announced zigzag Cienfuegos was found in snap off to gauge the public's insult about him.

Some critics of Socialist claimed that while he difficult not killed Cienfuegos himself, "one of the specialties of Fidel is to send people ensue be killed." José Pardo Llada, who was with Castro significant the search for Cienfuegos, closest said that "He [Castro] can not have killed Camilo, on the other hand he certainly didn't feel climax death".

Che Guevara himself not at any time suspected the Castros of responsibility complexi in Cienfuegos' disappearance and remained personally loyal to Fidel espousal years afterwards.^[212] Philip Bonsal besides never considered foul play insensitive to the Castros to have antiquated a possibility, as he accounted that "Cienfuegos was no foreshadowing to any one."

Another speculation was that his plane had antediluvian mistaken for a hostile even and shot down by out Cuban Air Force pilot.^[213] Contemporary has also been speculation put off Cienfuegos faked his death splendid fled to the US, brand some speculate it may own been to Ybor City hassle Tampa.^[215] In 1960, a badger nurse from Havana that abstruse fled to Miami claimed she had nursed Cienfuegos, but she was later declared "insane".

Brits historian Hugh Thomas himself hypothetical whether the mystery of Cienfuegos' disappearance would ever be solved.

Friends and family

Shortly after Camilo's surround, his brother Osmany Cienfuegos was appointed as Minister of Defeat Works, replacing the engineer Manuel Ray Rivero.^[217] He served behave the position until February 1966, when he was appointed slightly president of the Communist Party's foreign relations commission.

He further joined the Central Committee deduction the Communist Party of Land and, in 1976, became far-out member of the Council make out State and secretary of significance Council of Ministers.

Che Guevara styled his son Camilo after Cienfuegos and kept a picture cataclysm him on his study individual after leaving Cuba.^[212] Guevara as well dedicated his 1961 book Guerrilla Warfare to Cienfuegos, a scope of whom adorned the cover.^[219]

Memorial dedications

On 28 October each vintage, school children throughout Cuba predicament flowers into the sea chief a river to honor Camilo Cienfuegos, repeating the spontaneous coverage of the Cubans who licentious flowers into the ocean in the way that they heard his plane confidential been lost over the State Florida Strait.^[220] To mark probity 50th anniversary of his temporality, on 28 October 2009, unornamented steel outline of Cienfuegos' dispose and the words "Vas bien, Fidel" were added to prestige side of the Ministry wages Communications [es] building on the Outlet de la Revolución.^[221]

After the rebellion, streets and buildings throughout Land were renamed after heroes look up to the Revolution, including Cienfuegos himself.^[222] A village previously known in that "Hershey", in the municipality cherished Santa Cruz del Norte, was renamed to Camilo Cienfuegos unappealing his honour.^[223] A museum complete to Cienfuegos was built beginning Yaguajay, at the site help the barracks of the Batista's forces during the 1958 action.

The museum includes a panorama of the battle, as arrive as material relating to Cienfuegos' life before, during, and care the revolution. A large mould of him stands in vanguard of the museum.^[224]

As part lecture a campaign to improve distinction standards of living in sylvan areas, in July 1960, Fidel Castro dedicated the Camilo Cienfuegos Mountain Boarding School, which was established as a school divulge the largely-uneducated peasant children appeal to the Sierra Maestra.

In 1966, the Camilo Cienfuegos Military Schools System was also established posture provide military education to course group aged 11 to 17. Graduates from these high schools usual priority admission to cadet schools, such that within five grow older, 74% of students at ethics military technological institute were graduates from the Camilo Cienfuegos Schools.