Column 8 declares a liberated territory

The July 26 Movement and Revolutionary Directorate agreed to cooperate militarily against Batista in central Cuba.

Rebel units attacked transport connections and isolated garrisons, preventing government reinforcement of central Cuba.

Column 8 and allied forces surrounded the town and its garrison as part of the offensive toward Santa Clara.

After several days of fighting the garrison surrendered, widening rebel control in Las Villas.

Camilo Cienfuegos’s forces surrounded the army garrison at Yaguajay during the campaign for Las Villas.

The capture of the strategic town further isolated Santa Clara and government forces in central Cuba.

July 26 and Revolutionary Directorate fighters expanded control of central Cuba during the final offensive.

The port’s fall weakened government access to the north coast of Las Villas.

Revolutionary forces took the colonial town during the advance that converged on Santa Clara.

Forces under Che Guevara attacked strategic positions in Santa Clara, Cuba’s central transport hub.