Bay of Pigs Vets Regain Citizenship
The Cuban government Friday reinstated the citizenship of seven former fighters of the CIA-trained Brigade 2506 that staged the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion.
The men, who now live in the United States, were among those stripped of citizenship 42 years ago during a Havana court-martial for treason. Since then, they had become advocates for peaceful reconciliation.
The action was announced at the third Nation and Emigration conference here, at which hundreds of Cuban emigres, mostly from the United States, were to discuss normalizing relations with their homeland.
“The Cold War is over. I think the problems among Cubans must be resolved by Cubans,” said Mario Cabello, 61, of Miami, one of the brigade members.
Having his citizenship revoked “was like a humiliating sting. Now that has been removed,” Cabello said.
In the Bay of Pigs invasion, more than 1,000 members of the brigade failed in an attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in April 1961.
Speaking to a hall of emigres who oppose the U.S. trade and travel embargo, Perez Roque called for their support in reversing new White House sanctions that further limit travel and the flow of dollars to Cuba.
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