Operation Pico might be called a success for the Castro government in Cuba, since it persuaded the government of then President of the Dominican Republic, Joaquín Balaguer, after some negotiation, to release a group of Cuban fishermen suspected of violating Dominican territorial waters and transporting arms. Some believe this was an act of bullying on part of the Cubans, whereas others believe it to be just another action to protect their citizens.
An article in Spanish: Aviacion Cubana - Operacion Pico
An article in English. It appears to be a translation of the above Spanish one. Cuba vs. Republica Dominicana (1977) “Operation Pico” | The History, Culture and Legacy of the People of Cuba
Now, suppose that, instead of the actual result, the Dominicans hold on to the fishing crew and the Cubans actually go ahead with Operation Pico and bomb Santo Domingo and then Santiago de Los Caballeros. Would it mean immediate release of the fishing crew after initial hostilities? Or would the Cubans, even after the Dominicans immediately return the fishing crew to Cuban soil, actually invade DR? My initial guess is that the US would want to get involved since containing the spread of communism was top priority at the time. In turn the USSR would step up support to Castro, albeit discreetly.
An article in Spanish: Aviacion Cubana - Operacion Pico
An article in English. It appears to be a translation of the above Spanish one. Cuba vs. Republica Dominicana (1977) “Operation Pico” | The History, Culture and Legacy of the People of Cuba
Now, suppose that, instead of the actual result, the Dominicans hold on to the fishing crew and the Cubans actually go ahead with Operation Pico and bomb Santo Domingo and then Santiago de Los Caballeros. Would it mean immediate release of the fishing crew after initial hostilities? Or would the Cubans, even after the Dominicans immediately return the fishing crew to Cuban soil, actually invade DR? My initial guess is that the US would want to get involved since containing the spread of communism was top priority at the time. In turn the USSR would step up support to Castro, albeit discreetly.
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