Victor Dreke Cruz, who fought alongside Che Guevara in the Congo and is a veteran of the Bay of Pigs, will be speaking in Galway next week.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion took place in April 1961. It was an unsuccessful attempt by a force of Cuban exiles, trained by the CIA, and supported and encouraged by the US government, to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro.
In Cuba the event is known as Playa Giron and its defining battle is often referred to as the “first defeat of imperialism in America”.
As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban victory at the Bay of Pigs, the Irish Friends of Cuba Coalition have organised this visit to Galway by Comandante Cruz.
Comandante Dreke will speak at a public meeting hosted by Galway Trades Council in the SIPTU Hall, Brendan O’Hehir Road, off Prospect Hill, on Tuesday April 19 at 8pm.
Commandante Dreke fought along with Che Guevara in Playa Giron and as his second in command in the Congo, after which he led Cuban missions in Guineau Bissau and the Republic of Guinea.
Other speakers on the night will be Cuban journalist and Telesur TV presenter Reinaldo Taladrid Herrero and Ambassador Teresita Trujillo.
All are welcome.
