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Located in the remote mountains of Guatemala, Camp Trax served as the primary CIA training facility for Cuban exiles preparing for the Bay of Pigs invasion. Over 1,000 Cuban volunteers, known as Brigade 2506, underwent intensive military training here including guerrilla warfare, weapons handling, and amphibious assault tactics. The camp was deliberately isolated to maintain secrecy from both the Guatemalan public and international observers.

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Miami served as the main recruitment hub for Cuban exiles fleeing Castro's regime. The CIA operated from various safe houses and offices throughout the city, identifying and recruiting suitable candidates for the invasion force. Many recruits were former members of Batista's military or wealthy Cubans who had lost property under Castro's communist government.

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This Nicaraguan port city served as the final staging area before the invasion. Brigade 2506 assembled here in April 1961, loading onto ships and preparing for the assault on Cuba. The Somoza government of Nicaragua secretly allowed the CIA to use this location as a launch point, demonstrating the Cold War alliances in Central America.

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April 17, 1961: Bay of Pigs Main Landing

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April 17, 1961: Bay of Pigs Main Landing

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The primary landing site for the CIA-backed invasion, Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs) was chosen for its remote location and nearby airstrip. Brigade 2506 landed here expecting local support that never materialized. Castro's forces responded quickly, and the isolated location that was meant to be an advantage became a trap for the invasion force.

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April 17, 1961: Playa Larga Secondary Landing

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April 17, 1961: Playa Larga Secondary Landing

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A secondary landing site north of the main Bay of Pigs landing, Playa Larga was intended to establish a broader beachhead and prevent Cuban forces from easily surrounding the invasion force. The landing here also faced immediate resistance from Castro's military, contributing to the rapid failure of the operation.

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Prior to the main invasion, CIA-trained pilots flying B-26 bombers attacked Cuban airfields including this one at Santiago de Cuba. The goal was to destroy Castro's small air force to ensure air superiority during the landing. However, the attacks failed to eliminate all Cuban aircraft, allowing Castro's pilots to attack the invasion fleet.

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1959: Failed Invasion Attempt at Caibarién

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1959: Failed Invasion Attempt at Caibarién

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One of the earliest attempts to overthrow Castro involved a small force of exiles landing at this port city on Cuba's northern coast. The operation failed quickly due to poor planning and lack of popular support, serving as a precursor to the larger Bay of Pigs operation. This failure should have warned the CIA about the challenges of launching successful invasions against Castro's government.

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August 1960: Trinidad Alternative Landing Site

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August 1960: Trinidad Alternative Landing Site

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Originally, the CIA planned to land the invasion force at Trinidad, a larger city with better port facilities and closer to the Escambray Mountains where anti-Castro guerrillas operated. President Kennedy rejected this plan as 'too spectacular' and insisted on the more remote Bay of Pigs location, a decision that may have contributed to the invasion's failure.

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These mountains in central Cuba served as a base for anti-Castro guerrilla fighters who opposed the communist government. The CIA hoped these rebels would support the Bay of Pigs invasion and help establish a foothold for the exile army. However, Castro's forces had largely suppressed the guerrilla movement by 1961, eliminating this potential source of support.