1988 Fidel Castro autograph letter signed (military instructions during the Angolan intervention)
SKU:
£0.00
per item
Fidel Castro, short ALS to generals Ochoa and Polo, giving tactical instructions for the military campaign in Angola during Cuba's 1988 intervention. Very good condition with fold lines and light creasing. A line of writing to the reverse in an unknown hand. Dated 7th February 1988 in pencil, also not in Castro's hand. Translated in full:
"Ochoa and Polo:
The Pechora regiment [located in Matala, in the province of Huila] must head towards Lubango. We will decide later on their position. Continue to insist with the Angolans for the surrender of the solicited groups.
Greetings.
F."
Following their original military intervention in 1975, Castro once again agreed to join a Soviet-led People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) offensive against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The campaign against UNITA, who were supported by South Africa and the United States, culminated in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. Fought intermittently between August 1987 and March 1988 the Battle ended with an inconclusive military outcome, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and claiming victory. History credits the Battle with ushering in the first round of trilateral negotiations, mediated by the United States, which secured the withdrawal of Cuban and South African troops from Angola and Namibia by 1991.
Polo (Leopoldo Cintra Frias, born 1941) was at the time Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and general Ochoa (Arnoldo Ochoa Sanchez, 1930-1989) was later executed for corruption related to the sale of diamonds and ivory from Angola and the misappropriation of weapons in Nicaragua.
"Ochoa and Polo:
The Pechora regiment [located in Matala, in the province of Huila] must head towards Lubango. We will decide later on their position. Continue to insist with the Angolans for the surrender of the solicited groups.
Greetings.
F."
Following their original military intervention in 1975, Castro once again agreed to join a Soviet-led People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) offensive against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The campaign against UNITA, who were supported by South Africa and the United States, culminated in the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. Fought intermittently between August 1987 and March 1988 the Battle ended with an inconclusive military outcome, with both sides suffering heavy casualties and claiming victory. History credits the Battle with ushering in the first round of trilateral negotiations, mediated by the United States, which secured the withdrawal of Cuban and South African troops from Angola and Namibia by 1991.
Polo (Leopoldo Cintra Frias, born 1941) was at the time Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and general Ochoa (Arnoldo Ochoa Sanchez, 1930-1989) was later executed for corruption related to the sale of diamonds and ivory from Angola and the misappropriation of weapons in Nicaragua.
Sold Out