From: NPV <nvaldes@unm.edu>
Sent: Jul 16, 2008 12:43 PM
To: Walter Lippmann <walterlx@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: GRANMA: Operation Fangio

Walter,

Operation Fangio was unilaterally conceived, organized and executed by a small group of clandestine operatives that worked with Faustino Perez in the urban underground of the M-26-7 in Havana. The operation was NOT initiated, organized or executed by the Rebel Army led by Fidel Castro. This is an important point.

At the time, prior to April 1958, the so-called "llano" (or urban underground of the M-26-7) tried to take the political opposition leadership and initiative away from the "sierra" (the guerrillas). Thus, it is a mistake to assume that the Fangio’s abduction (which lasted just 24 hours) was connected to the Sierra Maestra guerrillas.

The only abduction that the Rebel Army ever carried out was done by Raúl Castro. However, Fidel Castro upon finding out about it immediately ordered his brother to release the Americans that had been taken hostage. The Rebel Army position on abduction and arrests of foreigners or anyone else was clearly stated by Fidel Castro on a number of occasions. On July 3, 1958 he stated,

"Today I have informed the international press and the United States government that in the general headquarters of the Rebel Army in the Sierra Maestra no report has been received on the case of North American citizens allegedly arrested. That zone of operations, which is situated one hundred miles away, has no radio transmitters, and if it is true that the United States citizens are being held by rebel forces their release will be ordered.... I have stated... that the 26th of July Movement is fighting for the respect of human rights. We believe that individual freedom is one of the inviolable rights of every human being and therefore no one should be arrested without a just cause..."

It is a mistake to attribute to Fidel Castro or to the Rebel Army the Fangio affair. That was an initiative of an urban underground in Havana that was not yet under the discipline of the Sierra Maestra revolutionaries.

Historical accuracy matters.


Nelson P Valdes
Cuba-L Direct