The Bay of Pigs Invasion Spanish: A counter-revolutionary military group made up of mostly Cuban exiles who had traveled to the United States after Castro's takeover, but also some US military personnel [6] , trained and funded by the CIA, Brigade fronted the armed wing of the Democratic Revolutionary Front DRF and intended to overthrow the increasingly communist government of Fidel Castro.
Launched from Guatemala and Nicaragua , the invading force was defeated within three days by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces , under the direct command of Castro. Prio's exile was the reason for the 26th July Movement led by Castro. The movement, which did not succeed until after the Cuban Revolution of 31 December , severed the country's formerly strong links with the US after nationalizing American industrial assets banks, oil refineries, sugar and coffee plantations along with other American owned businesses.
US President Dwight D. The CIA proceeded to organize the operation with the aid of various Cuban counter-revolutionary forces, training Brigade in Guatemala. Eisenhower's successor, John F.
Kennedy , approved the final invasion plan on 4 April Over 1, paramilitaries, divided into five infantry battalions and one paratrooper battalion, assembled in Guatemala before setting out for Cuba by boat on 13 April It initially overwhelmed a local revolutionary militia.
As the US involvement became apparent to the world, and with the initiative turning against the invasion, Kennedy decided against providing further air cover. The original plan devised during Eisenhower's presidency had required both air and naval support.
