THE BLUFFER'S GUIDE TO BAY OF PIGS

TODAY in 1961 the ill-fated invasion of the Bay of Pigs took place. Here's a brief guide to what it was all about...

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Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in January 1959. Within six months, relations between the US and Cuba had deteriorated badly.

Castro's regime confiscated private property and publicly accused the US of trying to undermine their government.

US President Dwight D Eisenhower (right) retaliated by cutting off sugar purchases from Cuba and embargoed all exports to the country except medicine and food.

In November 1960, John F Kennedy was elected president. During his campaign he slammed Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon for allowing communism to flourish so close to the US.

In January 1961, Eisenhower severed diplomatic ties with Cuba.