Moncada prisoners receive amnesty

Fidel Castro delivered his own defence, outlining demands for constitutional government, land reform, education and social justice.

The court sentenced Castro to fifteen years of imprisonment on the Isle of Pines, where surviving Moncada prisoners organized political study.

The Moncada defence demanded land for tenants, profit sharing for workers, support for small farmers, honest government and restored constitutional rights.

Castro invoked José Martí while arguing that formal independence had not ended inequality, foreign economic domination or political corruption.

Fulgencio Batista became constitutional president after his main opponent withdrew, arguing that repression made a fair election impossible.

The freed Moncada participants were welcomed by supporters and began rebuilding an opposition movement against Batista.

After the amnesty, the two surviving Moncada participants helped rebuild clandestine networks and preserve the movement’s political memory.

Supporters publicly greeted the Moncada prisoners, demonstrating that the failed assault had become a national political symbol.

Revolutionaries created the July 26 Movement, named after the Moncada attack, to unite urban resistance with preparations for armed struggle.

Facing surveillance and repression, Fidel Castro departed for Mexico to organize an expeditionary force.