Revolutionary forces enter Sancti Spíritus

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.

A military order identified sugar districts under rebel control and attempted to establish administration behind the advancing front.

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

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.

Local activists supplied intelligence, guides and support as rebel columns entered Cuba’s central city.

Guevara’s fighters disabled and captured a train carrying troops and weapons, breaking a central pillar of Santa Clara’s defence.