Popular victory at Girón

By Lissel Pino Ceballos, Communist Party of Cuba, translated from the Spanish

On the heroic sands of the Bay of Pigs, history forged a poem of collective courage and indomitable dignity. In April 1961, a small island, immense in spirit, demonstrated to the world that sovereignty is not something to be asked for, it is something to be won; and that freedom is not something to be expected, it is something to be defended.

Under the burning sky and the roar of bullets, the people became the main protagonists in the defense of the Revolution. The militias, made up of peasants, workers, students, and citizens of all ages, played a crucial role in the fighting. Pre-organized and trained, they joined the Rebel Army and the National Revolutionary Police to confront the enemy.

The actions of the people at Girón not only ensured the military victory but also consolidated the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution. The active and determined participation of the citizens demonstrated that the defense of sovereignty and social justice was a cause shared by all, and that a united people is capable of overcoming any adversity.

At Girón, bravery wasn't measured solely by gunfire or combat strategies, but by the unwavering determination not to give up even an inch of land. Since then, that corner of the Cuban map has become a symbol of resistance for the peoples of the world.

The victory at Girón lives on in the memory and pride of every Cuban, as a reminder of what it means to never give up, of what can be achieved when dignity and a love of justice are the pillars that sustain a collective dream. Girón is not just a battle won: it is the reflection of a daily struggle, a commitment to the ideals that emerged in the heat of that victory, and a legacy that continues to inspire the defense of sovereignty and social justice.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC