Related videos:
The veterans of the Brigade 2506 inaugurated a completely renovated museum this Thursday in Little Havana in Miami, Florida, to commemorate the exact 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which took place on April 17, 1961.
According to Telemundo 51, the historic headquarters of the association, located at 1821 SW 9th St, has been transformed into a modern and interactive facility covering 11,000 square feet with an investment of five million dollars.
Where there once stood a simple house filled with memories, today there is a facility featuring seven interactive stations, over 800 digitized photographs, and a repository of files and historical documents that chronologically narrate the training of the brigadistas in Guatemala to their release from the Cuban prison.
"I was 18 years old and had a very clear dream: to return to Cuba and be free," Manuel Portuondo recalled to the mentioned media outlet, who left his studies to train in Guatemala and be part of the operation organized with the support of the CIA.
But what distinguishes the new space is not just its digital screens or interactive stations; it is the voice of those who were there. Today, there are only about 200 survivors of Brigade 2506, witnesses to an operation that collapsed in less than 72 hours and left a deep wound in the history of Cuba and the Cuban exile.
The inauguration of the museum not only aims to preserve the historical memory of Brigade 2506 but also to connect new generations with one of the most significant episodes of the Cuban exile. Through interactive technology and firsthand testimonies, the organizers are committed to creating an educational experience that goes beyond the traditional narrative and allows for a deeper understanding of the political and human context of the operation.
During the opening ceremony, several veterans and family members highlighted the importance of keeping alive the legacy of those who participated in the invasion, which is considered by many as a failed yet symbolic attempt to change the course of Cuba. The initiative has also been supported by members of the Cuban-American community in Miami, who see the museum as a space for reflection and remembrance.
The project is particularly significant at a time when the passage of time reduces the number of direct witnesses to those events. With this renewal, Brigada 2506 aims to ensure that its history does not fade into oblivion but remains an active part of the debate about Cuba's past and future.
Filed under: