A failed military invasion of Cuba undertaken by a CIA-sponsored paramilitary group in April 1961. The operation, launched under President John F. Kennedy, aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist government. The invading force, Brigade 2506, was composed of Cuban exiles trained and funded by the United States. The plan involved landing at a specific location on the Cuban coast with the expectation of triggering a widespread uprising against Castro.
The event holds significant importance in the context of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War and is a standard topic in Advanced Placement United States History curricula. It illustrates the Kennedy administration’s commitment to containing communism and the lengths to which the U.S. was willing to go to achieve this goal. The invasion’s failure severely damaged U.S. credibility, emboldened Castro, and pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union, ultimately contributing to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Its study provides valuable insight into the complexities and consequences of interventionist policies.
