Castro visits Venezuela

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.

A huge Havana rally defended revolutionary trials of officials accused of torture and murder under Batista, amid international criticism.

The mass gathering asserted popular support for the new government while debating revolutionary justice and the crimes of the dictatorship.

Guevara described the armed movement’s commitments to agrarian reform, sovereignty and transformation beyond a change of rulers.

The revolutionary government adopted a Fundamental Law based partly on the 1940 Constitution while concentrating legislative authority in the Council of Ministers.

Under the Fundamental Law, the Council of Ministers combined executive and lawmaking powers during the provisional period.

Disagreement over authority within the new government led the provisional prime minister to resign.

Castro formally became head of government, bringing political office into line with his leadership of the victorious Rebel Army.