The invader columns secured the revolutionary victory

In March 1958, the high command of the army celebrated for the last time the 6th anniversary of Fulgencio Batista's military coup and the great final offensive against the guerrillas of the Sierra Maestra mountains, called Plan FF (Final Phase or Finalizing Fidel), unaware that they only had seven months left in power.

After winning many battles, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro sent two columns, the Antonio Maceo, led by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos, whose mission was to reach the western province of Pinar del Río, and the Ciro Redondo, commanded by Ernesto Che Guevara, which would head to Las Villas in central Cuba.

That is how 64 years ago one of the greatest epics of our history began: with two invader columns that revived a similar deed, that of Antonio Maceo and Máximo Gómez in the War of 1895-1998.

Fidel's strategic plan—to constantly pound the enemy in those regions to tamper with the movement of army troops from West to East—intended to consolidate the revolutionary power in the liberated regions and bring together all the organizations engaged in the struggle against the dictatorship, especially in the former province of Las Villas.

Chiefs Camilo and Che Guevara were able to gain ground despite great difficulties and little or no logistic help and finally reached the central region, where guerrilla forces of the 13th of March Revolutionary Directorate, the 2nd Escambray Front, the 26th of July Movement and the Popular Socialist Party remained active. Fidel ordered both rebel leaders to stay in the region and keep fighting the army while strengthening unity and discipline among those groups, which they did.

Camilo, nicknamed the Lord of the Vanguard, liberated many towns, including Yaguajay, an army stronghold defended by more than 500 well-armed troops. He reported his feat to his brother-in-arms in a laconic message that read, "Che: Yaguajay surrendered and I seized more than 350 rifles, 3 tripods, 1 mortar, a bazooka and other supplies. See you tomorrow, Camilo".

Meanwhile, Guevara and his troops surrounded and took villages around the city of Santa Clara, defended by some 4,000 soldiers equipped with tanks who had air force support, but his siege forced the city to surrender on January 1, 1959.

In Havana, the U.S. Embassy and the supreme command of the army were determined to frustrate the rebel victory with a fake coup, with Batista’s consent, to justify the departure of the dictator and his main accomplices. Therefore, it was essential to thwart their rash attempt as soon as possible in the capital city itself, so Fidel launched by radio, from the city of Santiago de Cuba, the slogan "Revolution yes, military coup no" and order Guevara’s and Camilo’s forces to head for Havana.

Thus the invader columns, with the support of the people, played a key role in frustrating the imperialist plans and consolidating the revolutionary triumph by arriving in Havana in early January to put paid to their attempt to prevent the rebels from taking power.