October 21th, 1959 went down in history as an unforgettable date and a revolutionary reaffirmation of the people of Camagüey. Thousands of men and women, together with Fidel, staged the first combatant march through the main streets of the city on the morning of that day, until they reached the “Ignacio Agramonte” military regiment; place of the traitor Hubert Matos, who was detained by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos without a drop of blood being spilled.

Thus ended a maneuver forged by Matos, who sought to weaken the Revolution and hinder the application of the Agrarian Reform Law. This military leader had been showing signs of attachment to reactionary tendencies and enthroned the cult of personality, but it was not long before men loyal to the Revolution and Fidel, among them Jorge Enrique Mendoza Reboredo, INRA delegate in Camagüey, exposed his plans.

Each misstep by Hubert Matos was known by Fidel, so the historical leader of the Revolution was not surprised by the resignation letter that Matos sent him privately in October, 1959. The content of the document was known to many of the henchmen who supported him. Fidel, after pointing out his disloyalty, announced that Commander Camilo Cienfuegos would take his place, as happened.

Many significant things happened on October 21th with the arrival of the Lord of the Vanguard and then Fidel Castro, who, knowing the importance of keeping the people informed, asked Mendoza to tell the truth about what was happening on the radio. Fidel, speaking that day from the barracks, thanked the people for their attitude, whom he described as loyal and revolutionary.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García