an experience during the cold war

8/7/2019 An Experience during the Cold War

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Cold War Assignment, Naina Fahima Hussain, Grade 10

April 18th 1961, Bahia De Cochinos, Operation Zapata

I am trapped. I got captured by the Cuban troops yesterday the 17th of April.

Everything was fine before that except the conflict that has been going on for months now.

But everything had to get ruined. Now that I think of it, I wouldve been better off if I stayed

back in Cuba. At least I wouldnt have to be here then. They took everything away from me

except my empty bag that only consisted of a pen, some newspapers (Im writing on one

now) and some mud that got into the bag while I was training for the CIA.

This war started because of the policy of containment. It was all because of Fidel

Castros idea to start communist dictatorship in Cuba and thats when I moved to the US in

the winter of 1959 with my mother. I stayed in refugee camp for about two months and when

I heard that the CIA was offering training for anti-Castro exiles, I made my decision to go

and train. We trained at the Useppa Island for two months. This is where I met a good friend

of mine from middle school, Estaban Gonzalez. The whole troop trained at many other places

which included Panama, Fort Clayton, etc. We werent aware of the consequences at that

time and we didnt know that this whole plan would turn out to be a failure.

As I am writing, I can hear the thunderous sound of the planes moving from one place

to another. This reminds me of the days I was taking care of my mother. My mother is all

alone now and all I can think of is who is going to take care of her. I left, thinking that I

would go back happily to my mother and tell her about the marvelous victory! But I dont

think that is going to happen anymore. Theyve killed 4 people in these two days and I heard

the bullets. One of the people who were killed was the leader of the rural resistance to Fidel

Castro who I met after landing. I heard from some friends who are right here with me that

many of us might die very soon and this is one thing that I wasnt prepared for at all.


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On our way to Bahia de Cochinos, I was reminding myself about the plan

continuously. Operation Zapata. Many of us were assigned as paratroopers who were being

dropped in several locations in order to block transportation in crucial areas and to confront

any Cuban troop members who came in the way. However, I was not one of them and thus, I

was put on a different plane. My plane dropped us off at Bahia de Cochinos to cause

confusion amongst the Cubans. As we landed, we were met by approximately a hundred

Cuban military troops who instantly caught us. I was one of the weaker ones of the exiles and

I always feared the situation where I would get caught by someone; and yesterday was the

day I was met by my weakness. I was caught. I was caught by an enemy and I was never

ashamed of anything as much as this!

As I think about the plans that were made for the invasion, a lot of things were done

in order to invade Cuba. A lot of confusion was made for the Cubans and at the same time, a

lot of things like the B-26 planes were disguised to look like Cuban airplanes. However,

many of our exiles were secretly supporting Fidel Castro and it wasnt noticeable until they

stopped co-operating with us when we departed for the invasion from a port in Nicaragua. At

the same time, many of the exiles like me were strongly supportive of the US and they started

bombing some areas near Bahia de Cochinos from the time we departed. The attacks were

loud and I could feel the vibe of a war even though a war hasnt started yet. But right now, I

want to go back. I want to leave all that I have done and go back and think about nothing but

myself. Nothing that is related to invasion.

I feel like writing. I have nothing else to do. I feel like I have so much to write about

to let my feelings out. I dont want to take sides anymore. I wish I hadnt joined the army. I

wish I hadnt come back to this country. I wish I stayed back at the refugee camp. I wouldnt

have the urge to regret anything then. This invasion has affected everyone in the Cuba and


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the US and I am aware of how everyone might be feeling. Even though the Americans started

planning for this in 1960, I feel that Fidel Castro was aware of everything that was coming

into his way. In my opinion, I think that it was a wrong decision to even start planning for it.

Now that I think about it, it seems as if America is desperate for a war and theres no valid

reason behind that. However, they might actually have some reasons though. Fidel Castro

shouldnt have ever taken over the businesses and then, the US and Cuba wouldnt ever have

to break political ties in between them.

Time is passing by and I think that my death is near. There have been some Cuban

troops who have been putting a lot of attention on the group that I have been separated into.

They havent given us food yet except some water to drink. I am hoping for the best. My

name is Juan Gomez Carro and all I want right now is a little peace.

an experience during the cold war

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