On December 2, 1956, dawn broke over southeastern Cuba, heralding a significant moment in history. The light illuminated the path for the expeditionaries who had embarked from Mexico seven days prior, on November 25th. From the outset, the journey was fraught with danger. The vessel, designed to accommodate 12 individuals, was burdened with 82 passengers. An unforeseen storm further complicated their voyage on the high seas.
The journey was delayed when a man fell overboard, prompting Fidel Castro to halt progress until their comrade was safely retrieved. This incident added to the mounting psychological pressure within the group. An uprising in Santiago had been scheduled for the anticipated landing date of November 30th, but the delay rendered this impossible. The group understood the implications of an uprising, including the risks of capture or imprisonment, and recognized it as a signal that other actions were underway.
The forces of the ruling regime were on high alert. Sixty-nine years ago, under the leadership of Commander Fidel Castro, these men landed at Los Cayuelos, approximately two kilometers from Las Coloradas beach. Around six o’clock that morning, the revolutionaries began disembarking, spending over two hours wading through chest-deep mud and water, assisting one another. Many sustained injuries, and their boots and uniforms were damaged. Their weapons and equipment were soaked, resulting in the loss of valuable supplies.
Only three vessels witnessed the arrival of the Granma, a seemingly innocuous pleasure yacht, in Cuban waters: a rowboat piloted by a fisherman, the coastal vessel Tres Hermanos, which was departing Laguna del Guaso with coal bound for Manzanillo, and the boat La Gibarita, transporting sand from Cayo Cacimba to Niquero. The crew of La Gibarita, upon noticing the Granma, panicked and dispersed in various directions.
The crew of La Gibarita alerted Batista’s forces. This information brought about an intense watching along the southeastern cost.
