Marching Against Castro

In response to an earlier peace demonstration on October 24, 1962, a group of Cuban exiles gathered outside Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse to support President John Kennedy’s naval blockade of Cuba. Many exiles living in the U.S. had fled Cuba following Fidel Castro’s victory over the Battista government in 1959 and were hopeful that a direct confrontation might depose Castro’s dictatorial regime. Similar marches were held throughout the U.S.

According to a memorandum written on December 6, 1962 by President Kennedy’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy to Under Secretary of State George Ball, the administration had developed a policy of “containing, undermining, discrediting, and isolating the Castro regime.” Bundy listed ten overt courses of action that would be taken, including a trade embargo and allowing Cuban exiles to join the U.S. Armed Forces. Moreover, Bundy provided a list of cover actions. Among these, the U.S. government supported the efforts of “certain Cuban exiles” to “encourage the Cuban people to engage in minor acts of sabotage.” The U.S. government planned to sabotage Cuban cargo and shipping, encourage Cuban diplomats to defect, and distribute anti-Castro propaganda by supporting the exiles’ “Voice of Free Cuba” radio broadcasts and helping them launch balloons carrying anti-Castro leaflets and other materials.

The Cuban trade embargo continues today and Fidel Castro periodically accuses the U.S. of sabotage, distributing propaganda, and attempting to assassinate him. Cuban exiles continue to support the effort to overthrow the Castro regime.