The "Caravan of Freedom" of the Rebel Army led by Fidel Castro left Santiago de Cuba for Havana on a day like today in 1959, a historic event that today marks its 66th anniversary.

Santiago de Cuba.- The media, social and political organizations, and people remember that historical event, which marks a milestone in Cuba's contemporary history.

The journey of more than a thousand kilometers between the two cities culminated on 8 January. It marked the first direct encounter between the Cuban people and the guerrilla leader who would go on to direct the nation's destiny and, together with the revolutionary forces, build a socialist project of world reference.

On the first day of January 1959, the insurgent forces entered the eastern part of the city, and from the balconies of the City Hall in Céspedes Park, Commander Fidel Castro proclaimed victory over the regular troops of the army of the Fulgencio Batista regime (1952-1958).

After more than two years of hostilities against the Batista dictatorship, the rebel columns were greeted by the inhabitants of the towns and cities along the route, demonstrating the overwhelming popular support for the political change proposal that had begun on the Caribbean island.

The caravan's progress from east to west demonstrated the possibility of realizing long-deferred dreams of social justice while highlighting the many dangers the revolution would have to overcome in the face of hostility from its internal and external enemies. (PL)