The revolutionary general strike secures the victory

A nationwide strike prevented remnants of the old regime from consolidating a military junta.

Rebel commanders accepted the surrender of the city, where Castro proclaimed the triumph of the revolution.

Speaking in Santiago, he warned against replacing Batista with another military arrangement and called for continued popular mobilization.

Guevara’s column entered the capital and took control of La Cabaña fortress.

Cienfuegos took control of the country’s largest military installation, completing the collapse of Batista’s command in Havana.

A Santiago speech presented military victory as the start of social reconstruction and insisted on vigilance against elite restoration.

The revolutionary coalition installed Judge Manuel Urrutia as provisional president.

The Eisenhower administration extended diplomatic recognition to Cuba’s revolutionary government.

Castro’s Caravan of Freedom reached the capital after a journey from Santiago marked by mass rallies.

In a nationally broadcast speech, Castro warned that victory did not mean that every problem had been solved.