Nevertheless, US aggressions were not limited to the economy. While encouraging the creation of counterrevolutionary organizations and groups of bandits fighting in different regions of the country to which the US supplied arms and other needs, the Eisenhower Administration breaks relationships with Cuba and starts the preparation of a mercenary force to invade the country.

The invasion would begin on April 17 through Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs), two days after the surprise bombing of several airforce bases and airports. In the burial of the victims from this attack, Fidel Castro proclaimed the socialist character of the Revolution, something that could be seen by the measures and steps adopted during the last months of 1960.

In less than 72 hours, the invading force that the CIA had spent months to prepare was defeated. In spite of this historic defeat, the US did not stop in its ambitions of crushing the Cuban Revolution. The objective of "Mongoose Plan" was a succession of aggressions, not discarding direct military intervention.
	Girón, first significant defeat of  imperialism in America.

This would lead to a serious international crisis in October 1962, when installation of soviet missiles in the Island became known. The compromise to put an end to the crisis did not stop the aggressive practices of the imperialism.

Likewise, the decisive attitude of our people, organized in the National Revolutionary Militia Troops and in the Armed Forces, made possible the fight and eventual defeat of the counterrevolutionary armed bands. Bandits were eliminated in 1965, when the last band operating in the country under the command of Juan Alberto Martínez Andrade was captured on July 4. Other bandits, who were dispersed and tried to escape from revolutionary justice, but were captured in the following months. This would finally put an end to the dirty covert war unleashed against the Cuban people by imperialism and reactionary classes. The armed struggle against bandits lasted six years and affected all the provinces in the country.

Between 1959 and 1965 in this war imposed by the US operated in all the national territory 299 bands with a total of 3 995 members. There were 549 victims among the soldiers of the regular troops and the members of the militia including victims of the crimes perpetrated by the bandits against the civilians. Many other victims were disabled. During all those years, so difficult for the Cuban economy, the country was forced to spend about 100,000,000 pesos.

The combination of military actions and political ideological actions played a decisive role in the victory over the bandits. Their defeat showed it was impossible to win over the armed people when they are part of an authentic revolution.

In the international arena the US managed to get Cuba separated from the Organization of American States, as well as to force most Latin American nations with the honorable exception of Mexico. However, the Cuban Revolution was strengthening its links with the socialist countries and with other Third World countries. Cuba then participates as founding member in the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement and develops an active policy of solidarity and support to all national liberation movements.

The nation that was resisting direct-armed aggression was to survive also economic siege. The US had suspended all trade with Cuba and at the same time was doing everything in its power to involve other countries in such a criminal blockade. Cuba was thus deprived of supplies vital for its agriculture and its industry. Nevertheless, the active solidarity displayed by the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, together with the tremendous efforts of the Cuban people enabled the economy not only to function but also to grow.

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