Havana, October 28 (RHC-PL) -- Cubans from all generations paid tribute today to Comandante Camilo Cienfuegos, who disappeared at sea on this date 56 years ago.
Camilo Cienfuegos was one of the 82 men who landed with Fidel Castro in December 1956 on the Granma yacht, to begin the armed struggle in the Sierra Maestra mountain range, and was key in the defeat of dictator Fulgencio Batista and the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959.
Leading the Antonio Maceo Column No. 2, with only 92 combatants, he undertook the triumphant guerrilla invasion to the island's western region, together with the Ciro Redono Column No. 8, led by Ernesto Che Guevara.
This year, as part of the activities organized to pay tribute to Commanders Cienfuegos and Guevara, a group of young people in the central province of Ciego de Avila recalled the struggle both leaders carried out 57 years ago.
During the reenactment of this historic event for that region, participants talked with area residents where the members of those guerrilla columns camped in 1958.
On October 28, 1959, a small Cesna aircraft with Comandante Camilo Cienfuegos on board disappeared at sea. Despite intensive search efforts for days following the accident, neither the wreckage nor the passengers were ever found.
A very popular figure, Camilo is remembered by all Cubans, especially young school students, who -- every year on this date -- toss flowers into the sea and rivers in his honor... "A Flower for Camilo."
