Deseret News archives: Failed Bay of Pigs invasion began on this day in 1961

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on April 17, 2025.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On April 17, 1961, some 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion within three days.

The invasion in 1961 was a failed attack launched by the CIA during the Kennedy administration to push Castro from power.

Since 1959, officials at the U.S. State Department and the CIA had attempted to remove him. Finally, on April 17, 1961, the CIA launched what its leaders believed would be the definitive strike: a full-scale invasion by American-trained Cubans who had fled their homes when Castro took over.

However, the invasion was doomed from the start. The invaders were badly outnumbered by Castro’s troops, and many surrendered after less than 24 hours of fighting.

The Deseret News and most newspapers in the nation followed the daily updates with anticipation as Russia and the United States battled in words and bullets during the Cold War, with the island of Cuba serving as a battleground.

Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the Bay of Pigs invasion and what has resulted from the failed attempt to drive Fidel Castro from power:

“The man who saw too much”

“Bay of Pigs conference ends with visit to infamous beach”

“Over 50 years, Bay of Pigs vets shaped Miami, U.S.”

“50 years later, Congress honors Bay of Pigs veterans”

“Opinion: The time is now to change U.S.-Cuba relations”

“A.F. secretary during the Bay of Pigs, missile crisis dies”

“Were Kennedys obsessed with Castro?”

“Suit seeks release of CIA report on Bay of Pigs”

Deseret News archives: Upstart Fidel Castro began his march to power in Cuba

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