The April 9 strike in Cuba

A memorable day in the history of Cuba is April 9, 1958. Then the 26th of July Movement (M-26) carried out a general strike: attacks on radio stations, work and transport stoppages, burning of vehicles in the service of tyranny, train derailments with military supplies, sabotage of electric plants; hundreds of young people, workers, combatants on the streets; the whole Cuba fought and agonized 61 years ago.

In spite of the magnitude of the actions, the goal set by the M-26 was not fulfilled: to paralyze the nation and unleash a mass movement that would overthrow Fulgencio Batista. The call was not effective; the weapons were not sufficient, and there was a lack of coordination. However, that day many cities in Cuba learned of the courage of their children, how much they were willing to do for a different and better future.

That April 9, the M-26 experienced one of its worst setbacks, it lost valuable combatants, among them Marcelo Salado; and tyranny intensified its cruel repression. But as every failure leaves teachings, this one was no exception. Most of the strikers had to join the Rebel Army in La Sierra Maestra, so new guerrilla columns were formed.

On the other hand, that failure led to the establishment of a single leadership, whose maximum leader would be Fidel Castro, who led all the insurgent forces to the definitive triumph of January 1st, 1959.

Written by Jorge Lora